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66-518: Evercreech Junction was a railway station at Evercreech on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway . Originally opened in 1862 as "Evercreech" on the original S&D line from Burnham-on-Sea to Broadstone, it became in 1874 the junction for the northwards extension towards Bath that bankrupted the company. A station opened on the Bath extension more than a mile to the north of Evercreech Junction, much nearer to

132-526: A BBC documentary on the Joint Railway presented by John Betjeman . However, it was closed three years later along with the whole line as part of the Beeching axe . The station inn was renamed The Silent Whistle on the closure of the line. Today the residual station buildings are private homes, with the former station track bed forming their gardens. The former goods yard is a small industrial estate , while

198-415: A "town council". The majority of successor parishes, and a number of other small market towns now have town councils , with the power of parish councils but their chairmen are entitled to style themselves as " town mayor ". Similarly, a handful of parishes have been granted city status by letters patent : the council of such a parish is known as "city council" and the chairman is entitled to be known as

264-424: A bombing from Germany. The children were welcomed into the homes of the villagers. However, rationing was a prominent issue even though many of the children had come with their own ration book . Schools also had to adapt as their current teaching facilities and schedules could not accommodate and teach all of the extra students. The village town hall was used as an extra space and volunteers helped to look after

330-415: A geographical area known as a civil parish. The civil parishes were also grouped to form rural districts , which became the geographical areas of rural district councils. Civil geographical parishes continued to exist in urban districts, but did not have parish councils. Whilst the bulk of the rationalised activities went to district councils, parish councils took over a number of lesser powers including all

396-507: A parish council has been able to alternatively style itself as a "village council", "neighbourhood council" or "community council". A provision of this Act is that is that civil parishes may now be established in the London boroughs. Since the enactment of the Local Government and Rating Act 1997 , district and unitary councils may create a parish council for a new civil parish either through

462-407: A parish council must be formed. Where there are between 151 and 999 electors the principal council may recommend the establishment of either a parish council or parish meeting. Where there are 150 electors or fewer a parish council may not be formed. Reviews come into effect on 1 April in the year following the date the reorganisation order is made. Where a new parish council is created, elections to

528-582: A parish council: smaller ones, typically those with fewer than 150 electors, often have parish meetings instead, which can fulfil many of the functions of a parish council. Alternatively, parishes with small populations may apply to be grouped together with one or more neighbouring parishes under a common parish council. Civil parish councils were formed in England under the reforming Local Government Act 1894 ( 56 & 57 Vict. c. 73) to take over local oversight of civic duties in rural towns and villages from

594-455: A petition of local government electors for an area. A petition is deemed valid where it is signed by a sufficient proportion of the electorate (ranging from 50% in an area with fewer than 500 electors to 10% in one with more than 2,500). The sufficient proportion of the electorate necessary in areas with more than 2,500 electors was reduced from 10% to 7.5% under an amendment to the Act made in 2015. At

660-590: A radical new power: to "do anything that individuals generally may do" as long as that is not limited by some other Act. This is known as the General Power of Competence (GPC), and is available to "eligible" parish councils. An eligible council is one which has resolved to adopt the GPC, with at least two-thirds of its members being declared elected, rather than co-opted, and the Clerk must hold an appropriate qualification. However

726-491: A review or in response to a petition. This has led to the creation of new parish councils at an increased rate, especially in large towns and cities which do not have a history of parish governance. Since 13 February 2008 the power to create new parishes and parish councils, to alter parish boundaries, to dissolve parish councils and to abolish parishes has been devolved to district , unitary and London Borough councils (collectively known as "principal councils"). This process

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792-432: A spillover from mills at nearby Bruton and Sherborne . The workforce for the village's three silk factories was made up almost entirely of young women and girls, some of whom started working as young as seven or eight years of age. Fulfilling orders from London, two of the factories were throwing mills which produced high quality spun silk thread. The third mill wove silk thread into cloth. Bales of raw silk were imported to

858-404: Is a power awarded in 2012 to eligible councils, which further broadens the scope of activities that councils can be involved in. Parish councils may exercise powers to provide, maintain and manage certain facilities. There are large variations in the facilities provided by parish councils, but they can include any of the following: They may also provide the following, subject to the consent of

924-861: Is also part of the Frome and East Somerset county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom . It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election, and was part of the South West England constituency of the European Parliament prior to Britain leaving the European Union in January 2020. This constituency elected seven MEPs using

990-485: Is four years, and councillors are elected by the block vote system, with voters having the same number of votes as seats on the council, in a secret ballot . Those candidates with the highest number of votes sufficient to fill the number of vacant seats are elected. The legislation provides that the number of elected members of a parish council shall not be less than five. Larger parishes may be divided into parish wards, with separate elections for each ward. The timing of

1056-406: Is known as a "community governance review". Principal councils have the power to make a community governance review at any time for all or part of their district. It is envisaged that such reviews will occur at intervals of between 10 and 15 years, and will take into account population changes, the need for well-defined boundaries and the wishes of local inhabitants. Reviews may also be triggered by

1122-402: Is not a quorum elected the district council must dissolve it and order fresh elections. Where there are more candidates than vacancies, a poll must be held. Undivided parishes, or multi-member parish wards, hold elections under the block vote system. If a vacancy occurs during the term of a parish council, it may be filled by either election or co-option. Elections only occur if, following

1188-513: Is of the East Mendip type. On the north wall of the tower is a roll of honour to victims of World War I . It is within a rectangular wooden case with a glazed door crowned by a triangular pediment and plaque below. The church's clock is unusual in that it is missing the 10th hour number, usually shown as the Roman numeral 'X'. The Roman numeral at the 10th hour position is XI (11) and it is followed by

1254-423: Is taken. Where there are fewer candidates than vacant seats, the parish council has the power to coopt any person or persons to fill the vacancies. This power, however, may only be exercised if there is a quorum of councillors present and within 35 days of the election. If the parish council fails to fill the vacancies within this period, the district council may dissolve it and order fresh elections. If there

1320-490: Is the formal point of contact with the public, and a source of information for the public about the Council's activities. The necessary financial monitoring and reporting are the clerk's responsibility, and in this role the clerk is known as the "Responsible Financial Officer" (RFO) of the Council. The clerk also provides procedural guidance for the Council itself, and ensures that statutory and other provisions governing or affecting

1386-464: Is the role of the local planning authority to agree who should be the neighbourhood forum for the neighbourhood area. Neighbourhood forums and parish councils can use new neighbourhood planning powers to establish general planning policies for the development and use of land in a neighbourhood. These are described legally as "neighbourhood development plans". In an important change to the planning system, communities can use neighbourhood planning to permit

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1452-501: The county council , unitary authority or London borough council of the area in which they lie: Parish councils have the statutory right to be consulted by the local district, borough, county council or unitary authority on: Parish councils may also exercise the following powers: Under the Localism Act 2011 eligible parish councils can be granted a " general power of competence " (GPC) which allows them within certain limits

1518-481: The d'Hondt method of party-list proportional representation . There are two pubs in the village: The Bell Inn and the Pickled Inn (formerly The Shapway Inn ). The Pecking Mill is within a very short distance to the south. Historically, one of the local pubs, The Brewers Arms , celebrated New Year's Eve with fireworks, but on New Years Day 2005 it announced that it had closed forever. Rumours were rife around

1584-520: The vestry committee . Parish councils are generically referred to as "local councils" to distinguish them from " principal councils " (e.g. district councils , county councils , unitary authorities or London borough councils) and most are affiliated via County Associations to the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), which represents their interests at a national level. Their activities fall into three main categories: representing

1650-543: The "city mayor". In England, there are currently eight parishes with city status, all places with long-established Anglican cathedrals: Chichester , Ely , Hereford , Lichfield , Ripon , Salisbury , Truro and Wells . Despite its name, the City of Durham Parish Council is not a city; Durham's city status is held by charter trustees . Following the enactment of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 ,

1716-452: The 1894 Act and subsequent legislation. Compared to higher tiers of English local government, parish councils have very few statutory duties (i.e. things they are required to do by law) but have a much more extensive range of discretionary powers which they may exercise voluntarily. For this reason, there are large variations in the activities of parish councils, depending on their size, resources and abilities. The "General Power of Competence"

1782-475: The 19th century the cruciform head was restored. It is a Grade II* listed building and has been scheduled as an ancient monument . Historic industries in Evercreech include quarrying of blue lias and clay; brick making; milk processing; and agriculture, which remains the leading industry today. From the late 18th century until just after World War I, silk processing was an important industry for Evercreech,

1848-585: The African-American men could socialise and dance with white women, which was a novelty, and something forbidden in segregated America and often inter-racial relationships would be formed at these dances. Overall, the Americans brought fun and friendship to Evercreech in an exceptional circumstance, and Evercreech welcomed them into their lives. The parish council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover

1914-469: The Clerk. The Clerk as the Proper Officer "enacts" (cause to happen) the decisions of the Council, and they receive official correspondence and issue correspondence on the instructions of the Council. The clerk also prepares agendas for meetings of the Council and its committees, gives notice of these to the Council members and the public, and records and publishes the minutes of these meetings. The Clerk

1980-410: The Council is managed by its Clerk, a paid employee appointed by the council, who acts in a combined statutory role of Proper Officer (secretary or chief executive) and Responsible Financial Officer (treasurer). They may be full-time or part-time, depending on the amount of council business, and large parish councils may require more than one official for these tasks, in which case they are a group led by

2046-451: The English ratepayers is between 28,000 and 29,000. Not only are we exposed to this multiplicity of authority and this confusion of rating power, but the qualification, tenure, and mode of election of members of these Authorities differ in different cases." The government chose the civil parish as the basic unit of local government in rural areas. Each parish council's area of responsibility was

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2112-418: The GPC can allow councils to engage in a range of activities such as setting up a trading company or co-operative to operate commercial activities, such as lending or investing money, or running a local shop, post office or energy company. Or allow it to contribute towards the provision of a service by another authority. The central function of the Council, the making of local decisions and policy relevant to

2178-506: The Roman numeral for twelve (XII). Thus the numbers of the last quarter read IX (9) - XI (11) - XII (12) - XII (12). Local rumour suggests that the person who paid for the clock to be made, was instructed by his wife that he had to be home from the pub by 10 o'clock. Therefore, he ensured that the 10 o'clock numeral (X) was missing. The sounds of the bells at Evercreech church were used in the opening credits of BBC's Songs of Praise for many years. There were many complaints. At Chesterblade

2244-414: The advertisement of the vacancy for 14 days, 10 electors send a written request to the returning officer. If no request is received, the parish council will be required to fill the vacancies by co-option. If vacancy occurs within 6 months of a scheduled election, then a by-election cannot be called, but the council has the power to co-opt. The nomination qualifications required of a candidate for co-option are

2310-401: The chairman, and a quorum of the main council committee is at least one-third of the members, or three members, whichever is the greater. Every meeting is open to the public, who are encouraged to attend, except for those items where the Council formally resolves to exclude the public and press on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest. This would have to be due to

2376-458: The children and assist the teachers in the parish. American soldiers had been arriving in Evercreech ever since 1942; however, in 1944, a group of African-American G.I.s were sent to the area. Most people in rural Somerset had never seen a Black person before, so seeing African-American soldiers was a novelty for the Evercreech population. However, the people of Evercreech welcomed the Black G.I.s in

2442-622: The confidential nature of the business. This latter also applies to any subcommittee of the parish council. A Council can form committees with delegated powers for specific purposes; however these must adhere to the protocols for public attendance, minute-taking and notice of meetings that apply to the main Council. A committee may form sub-committees. A Council can also appoint advisory groups which are exempt from these constraints to give flexibility, but these have no delegated powers and cannot make financial decisions. Such groups may contain members who are not councillors. Public notice of meetings of

2508-552: The council and its committees must be given at least three clear days before and be displayed in a "noticeable place" in the Parish, giving time, date and venue. A summons to attend the meeting is also issued, specifying the agenda, to every member of the Council. Items not on the agenda cannot be formally debated or resolved. Items brought up by the attendance of the general public or in correspondence can be discussed, but formal resolutions on these must be deferred if they are not covered by

2574-414: The council's operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with

2640-404: The development they want to see - in full or in outline – without the need for planning applications. These are called "neighbourhood development orders". In 1974, the local government reforms allowed the creation of successor parish councils, to cover those areas formerly the responsibility of a municipal corporation. Such an area could be declared a "town", and the council would then be known as

2706-452: The district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council. From 1894 to 1974, the village was part of Shepton Mallet Rural District , and from 1974 to 2023, it fell within the non-metropolitan district of Mendip . Mendip District Council

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2772-478: The election cycle is usually linked to that of the election of a district councillor for the ward containing the parish. Where the elections to a district council are delayed or cancelled (e.g due to its abolishment with the formation of a unitary council or a change from elections by thirds to the whole council), the term of a parish council may be extended to match the next elections to the new authority. A candidate must be at least 18 years old and at least one of

2838-435: The end of the review process, which must be completed within 12 months, the principal council is empowered to issue a reorganisation order setting out the changes. This order may: In order to abolish an existing parish council, the principal council must provide evidence that this in response to "justified, clear and sustained local support" from the area's inhabitants. Where a new parish is formed with 1,000 electors or more,

2904-445: The existing agenda to the next meeting so that due notice can be given. It is common practice to have a "public participation" item at the beginning of the agenda so that the public knows the time when this will occur. The minutes of the meeting are taken by the clerk, and are ratified at the next meeting of the council. They must also be displayed in a noticeable place in the parish, and for many councils, they are now also displayed on

2970-482: The following: and candidates must state on their consent for nomination form their qualification for election, which must be at least one of the following: The chairman of the previous council shall remain in office, even if not elected to the newly constituted council, until a new chairman is appointed at the first meeting of the new council. Where there are an equal number or fewer candidates than there are vacancies, all candidates are elected unopposed, and no poll

3036-529: The freedom to do anything an individual can do provided it is not prohibited by other legislation, as opposed to being limited to the powers explicitly granted to them by law. To be eligible for this a parish council must meet certain conditions, such as at least two-thirds of the councillors being elected as opposed to being co-opted or appointed, and having a clerk with suitable qualifications. However, such activities cannot use precept funding, and specific funding must be obtained from other sources. In principle

3102-702: The hamlet of Stoney Stratton and the village of Chesterblade . The village was recorded as Evrecriz in the Domesday Book of 1086. Small Down Knoll (or Small Down Camp) is a Bronze Age hill fort above the village which rises to 728 feet (222 m). The parish was part of the hundred of Wells Forum . War was declared on September 4, 1939, and later that month, the local village school received 215 children evacuees , 18 teachers and 6 helpers, from two schools in West Ham, East London. In 1941, 50 more children and their teachers arrived from Bristol after

3168-519: The internet. Procedures for the conduct of meetings are set out in Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972, and where this is not overridden by legislation, by the standing orders of the Council. Most adopt the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) model standing orders. Councillors are expected to adhere to the "Nolan principles" of conduct in public life The administration of

3234-467: The large number of bodies which existed for a variety of activities such as public health, secular burials, water supply and drainage. It also finally removed secular duties from the local vestry committees and gave them to the new parish councils. An idea of the scope of this huge re-organisation can be gained from the words of H H Fowler , President of the Local Government Board, who said in

3300-436: The local community, delivering services to meet local needs, and improving quality of life and community well being. Parish councils have the power to tax their residents to support their operations and to carry out local projects, and this is done through the council tax system. Although there is no limit to the amount that can be raised, the money can only be raised for a limited number of purposes, listed below, as defined in

3366-474: The mills from France, Italy, and India by London merchants. Employment in the mills was erratic, driven by highly volatile demand for English woven silk. This volatility was caused by embargoes on imported woven silk, duty taxes, and then the lifting of import restrictions in 1860. Evercreech Junction was a railway station on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway . It was replaced by Evercreech New railway station from 1874 to 1966, when it closed. Nowadays,

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3432-543: The nearest railway stations to Evercreech are in Bruton and Castle Cary . The Church of St Peter dates from the 14th century and is a Grade I listed building . The three-stage tower has set-back buttresses ascending to pinnacles, with a very tall transomed two-light bell-chamber with windows on each face The embattled parapet has quatrefoil piercing, with big corner pinnacles and smaller intermediate pinnacles. The four-light west window has extensively restored tracery. This tower

3498-479: The original proposal to grant a general power of competence to councils was not carried through, and the doctrine of ultra vires remained. This meant that parish councils could not do anything outside their statutory powers. It was not until the Localism Act 2011 that parish councils were freed of the constraints of ultra vires which had limited the activities of parish councils to only those things for which they had been given statutory powers. They were given

3564-443: The parish council was retained as the "grass roots" tier of local democracy for rural areas. In addition, many small towns which had previously formed municipal boroughs or urban districts became " successor parishes " within larger districts . The Act also recognised the role of parish councils in development planning in their parish, and gave them the right to be informed and consulted on applications for such development. However,

3630-399: The parliamentary debate for the 1894 Act: "62 counties, 302 Municipal Boroughs, 31 Improvement Act Districts, 688 Local Government Districts, 574 Rural Sanitary Districts, 58 Port Sanitary Districts, 2,302 School Board Districts ... 1,052 Burial Board Districts, 648 Poor Law Unions, 13,775 Ecclesiastical Parishes, and nearly 15,000 Civil Parishes. The total number of Authorities which tax

3696-562: The precept may not be raised specifically for activities which rely only on the power of the GPC, and such funding must be obtained from other sources. The Localism Act also introduced new rights and powers to allow local communities to shape new development by coming together to prepare neighbourhood plans. Neighbourhood planning can be taken forward by two types of body: town and parish councils or "neighbourhood forums". Neighbourhood forums are community groups that are designated to take forward neighbourhood planning in areas without parishes. It

3762-466: The public interest of the parish, is performed at the meetings of the Council. A parish council must hold an annual meeting and at least three other meetings in a year; however, monthly meetings are the most common, and some larger councils have fortnightly meetings. An extraordinary meeting may be called at any time by the chairman or members, but due notice must be given. A parish council consists of no fewer than five elected parish councillors, including

3828-510: The reasons for the closure (most likely due to the non-profitability of such a local enterprise) - popularly noting that the real estate value of the site was extremely high. Cutterne Mill is an old watermill . which is now being used for electricity generation as part of the South Somerset Hydropower Group The market cross dates from the 15th century. It stands on four steps and a 3 metres (9.8 ft) high shaft. In

3894-562: The running of the Council are observed. Clerks are encouraged to have a formal qualification, such as the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA). A councillor cannot become the paid clerk of their council, due to conflict of interest, but they can be appointed on an unpaid basis; preferably temporarily. A councillor cannot become a paid clerk until 12 months after leaving office. The cycle of parish council elections

3960-564: The same as for those for election. If the number of vacancies on the parish council is such that there is no longer a quorum, the district council may temporarily appoint persons to bring the council up to strength in the interval prior to an election. Civil parish councils were formed in England under the reforming Local Government Act 1894 ( 56 & 57 Vict. c. 73) to take over local oversight of civic duties in rural towns and villages . The act created two new types of local authority, parish councils and district councils , to rationalise

4026-566: The same way they welcomed evacuees throughout the war, and the American presence was a boost to the morale of the British public. The troops helped out in schools and gave the children chocolates, fruits and chewing gum, which was a rarity in rationed Britain. Moreover, to raise money for the Spitfire funds, the village and the American soldiers held dances where they enjoyed American jazz music. Here,

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4092-587: The secular activities of the parish Vestry committee; a system of local government based on ecclesiastical parishes that originated in the feudal system . Two principal Acts of Parliament have increased the general powers of parish councils, and removed onerous constraints. The Redcliffe-Maud Report led to the Local Government Act 1972 , which dramatically re-organised local government with amalgamation of district councils, large-scale changes to county boundaries and creation of metropolitan areas. However,

4158-406: The station hotel was renamed again as The Natterjack in the 1970s. 51°07′38″N 2°31′00″W  /  51.1272°N 2.5168°W  / 51.1272; -2.5168 Evercreech Evercreech is a village and civil parish in Somerset , England. The village is 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Shepton Mallet , and 5 miles (8 km) northeast of Castle Cary . The parish includes

4224-858: The tiny Church of St Mary dates from the 12th century. Parish councils of England Parish councils receive the majority of their funding by levying a precept upon the council tax paid by the residents of the parish (or parishes) covered by the council. In 2021-22 the amount raised by precept was £616 million. Other funding may be obtained by local fund-raising or grants for specific activities. They can vary enormously in size, activities and circumstances; representing populations ranging from fewer than 100 (small rural hamlets) to up to 130,000 ( Northampton Town Council ). Most of them are small: around 80% represent populations of less than 2,500; Parish councils are made up of unpaid councillors who are elected to serve for four years: there are about 70,000 parish councillors country-wide. Not every civil parish has

4290-478: The village of Evercreech, was called Evercreech Village, and later Evercreech New . The junction itself was to the north of the station, where there were also marshalling yards. Branch trains to and from Burnham and Highbridge started and finished at Evercreech in latter years. To the south of the station a level crossing carried the main A371 road across the line. In 1963 the station featured in "Branch Line Railway",

4356-636: Was responsible for local planning and building control , local roads, council housing , environmental health , markets and fairs, refuse collection and recycling , cemeteries and crematoria , leisure services, parks, and tourism . Somerset County Council is responsible for running the largest and most expensive local services such as education , social services , libraries , main roads, public transport , policing and fire services , trading standards , waste disposal and strategic planning. The village falls in 'Creech' electoral ward . The area and population of this ward are stated above. It

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