What does the Parish Council do?

Ufford Parish Council is the first tier of government for the parish of Ufford and is committed to working together with the residents of Ufford for the benefit of the parish.

It is a statutory body and has wide ranging powers and interests, one of which is to ensure that any development within the parish complies with the current Suffolk Coastal District Council Local Plan and the County Council Structure Plan.

It is a focus for action and lobbying on roads, village facilities, the environment and other issues that may arise.

The Parish Council is the Custodian Trustee for the Recreation Ground which is managed by the Ufford Recreation Ground Charity Committee.

The Council has 11 elected councillors and one part-time employee, the Clerk who carries out the administration and financial duties.  Your Councillors and their responsibilites are listed below.

Full Council and Planning Meetings are held monthly on the third Wednesday of the month, with the exception of August and December (when no meetings are held).

The Parish Council also holds a Budget Meeting in January each year and hosts the Annual Parish Meeting, usually held in May.

Notice of meetings are posted on the notice boards in the village and are open for all village residents to attend.

Current Projects

The Council has recently completed a successful Local Housing Scheme in partnership with Hastoe Housing Association as well as completing the Parish Plan, the most comprehensive survey carried out in the Parish. The findings not only helped the Parish Council to provide the facilities parishioners needed but also formulated the Council’s responses to consultative documents from District, County and Government, thereby ensuring they fulfilled their role in representing their parishioners. One of the first outcomes to be acheived was the creation of the Ufford Good Neighbours.

The Parish Council also facilitated the Heritage Trail Project which provides a footpath map with heritage trail options and which also included the restoration of the Ufford Place Gates, provision of an interpretation board and seating at the Sogenho Chapel (site of).

A proportion of the council tax paid by villagers, raised through the precept, is used to fund the expenditure of the Parish Council (the precept for 2011/12 is at £16,610).

Parish Council Grants

The Parish Council runs a grants scheme for all voluntary organisations in the village. As part of the Council's Policy it was agreed that more money should be used to facilitate specific projects within the village.

We would like to take this opportunity to invite your organisation to apply for funding for any projects you may be considering. Examples of previous funding include the purchase of equipment for the Ufford Parent & Toddler Group, start-up grants for Ufford Playscheme, Ufford Youth Club, Ufford Carpet Bowls Club and the Ufford Punch Newsletter - as well as contributions towards larger projects such as the Playzone and the pitch widening at the Recreation Ground.

There is no minimum grant and larger projects, which the Parish Council may not be able to fund in whole, may qualify for a 50% grant from other grant making bodies.

So why not download this application form if you'd like to apply. If you need any help please do not hesitate to contact Carol Williamson on 01449 736362.

Your Councillors