Welcome to the Harberton Parish Council Website
The Parish of Harberton covers two villages in the South Hams District, South Devon. Harberton and Harbertonford have been linked since the 16th century when Harbertonford was a ‘daughter church’ of Harberton. The daughter has now outgrown the mother!
Parish, town and community councils in England are small local authorities; the tier of government closest to the community. The Parish Council has an overall responsibility for the well-being of the local community. Its work falls into three main categories:
- representing the local community
- delivering services to meet local needs
- striving to improve quality of life in the parish.
Harberton Parish Council is made up of 12 voluntary councillors who stand for election every four years. Councillors meet monthly to make decisions on the work and direction of the council. As elected bodies Parish Councils are responsible to the people they represent and councillors agree to abide by a Code of Conduct. Meetings of the Harberton Parish Council are run according to the Standing Orders.
Anyone is welcome to attend Parish Council meetings, at which there is a public session of 20 minutes at the beginning for members of the public to make comments on items on the agenda if they wish. After this session has finished, the public must not take any further part in the meeting except with the express permission of the Chairman but may stay to observe the council in session.
If you are interested in being a councillor in the Parish of Harberton or have questions that aren’t answered by looking through this website, please contact the Harberton Parish Clerk.
This booklet ‘All About Parish and Town Councils‘ has been prepared by The National Association of Local Authorities (NALC) for anyone wanting to know more about parish and town councils and the role of local councillors.