A Parish Council is a local authority constituted by parliament and wholly governed by legislation.
A local council can only do what the law permits it to do. Parish Councils are generally the least bureaucratic and cheapest form of government.
The Sampfords Parish Council elects up to 9 members who serve a term of 4 years. Please visit the Parish Councillor tab on the Home Page to see your councillors and their specific responsibilities within he council. Councillors are elected to represent the local community, they must live or work in the parish council area. A councillor is a rewarding experience as you can make a change in your community to help improve residents’ lives. A councillor’s role can include developing strategies and plans for the area, helping with problems and ideas, representing the community, working with other local community groups, making decisions, and talking to the community about their needs and what the council is doing. Each councillor must register any interests they may have and agree to abide by the code of conduct. Parish councillor registrable interests may be seen via the following link: https://uttlesford.cmis.uk.com/uttlesford/ParishCouncilInterests.aspx
The Sampfords Parish Council employs a part-time Clerk / Responsible Financial Officer (RFO), as head of administration, the Clerk is responsible for the internal management and organisation of the council and an appointed Proper Officer. As the RFO, it has responsibility for the administration and monitoring of financial affairs in accordance with legislation and ensures the council has effective accounting systems and internal policies and controls in place, including management of risk.
The parish council raises the majority of its income from the ‘precept’ a tax levied on its electors. For 2026-27 The Sampfords precept is £30,953.00. This is the calculation that the council has determined to meet the annual cost of running the services the parish council provides as well as maintaining a level of reserves governed by legislation. This budget was agreed and minuted at the Parish Council meeting on 16th December 2025.
The Parish Council has a broad range of responsibilities some of which can be summarised below:
- Provision of Recreation Ground including play equipment and outdoor gym equipment, football pitch and tennis court
- Management of open spaces with responsibility for grass cutting and hedge trimming in Great and Little Sampford including the 3 churches and maintenance of the telephone box.
- Statutory consultations on planning, working to influence Planning Authority decisions, based on Councillors local knowledge.
- Working with other local churches and societies in the community, including the maintenance of St Michaels closed churchyard and church clock
- Working with the district and county council on items such as highway matters, including drainage, road maintenance, dog bins, salt & grit bins
- Engaging with other local parish councils on mutual matters including community transportation
- Work with other parish organisations to create community engagement
- From time to time the council raises funds through grants for community projects such as new playground equipment and furniture
Whilst the parish council has limited powers to make decisions, it does have the ability to negotiate with, and the power to influence those other organisations that do make the final decisions.