A Parish Meeting consists of the Local Government electors of the parish and the purpose of the meeting is to discuss parish affairs. There is no statutory definition or definitive caselaw to determine what constitutes a ‘parish affair’. It is the view that a ‘parish affair’ includes an issue, activity or subject which specifically affects a parish and which a parish meeting may wish to discuss, debate and potentially influence.
An assembly of a parish meeting is an effective forum for local government electors in a parish to discuss matters specific to the parish even if there is a separate parish council. The meeting is NOT however a parish council meeting but attendance of members of the council may demonstrate that the council is receptive to hearing the views of the local residents.
