Todenham Parish Council – Co-Option Vacancy
Co-option Vacancy on the Parish Council!
Todenham Parish Council needs two new team members; if you think you would like to be involved in representing your community, and are over 18 years of age, please email the Clerk clerk@todenhamparishcouncil.co.uk
Being a Councillor
What is a councillor?
Councillors are elected to represent an individual geographical unit on the council, known as a ward or – parish – in Todenham it is the entire parish. They are generally elected by the public every four years, but there are two Co-option spaces available on the Parish Council at the moment as Councillors Stephen Pannell & Bruce Eastabrook have moved away from the village and therefore given their resignation to the Parish Council.
What do councillors do?
Councillors have three main components to their work.
- Decision making – Through meetings and attending committees with other elected members, councillors decide which activities to support, where money should be spent, what services should be delivered and what policies should be
- Monitoring – Councillors make sure that their decisions lead to efficient and effective services by keeping an eye on how well things are
- Getting involved locally – As local representatives, councillors have responsibilities towards their constituents and local These responsibilities and duties often depend on what the councillor wants to achieve and how much time is available, and may include:
- Going to meetings of local organisations
- Going to meetings of bodies affecting the wider community
- Taking up issues on behalf of members of the public
- Attending quarterly meetings and occasional extraordinary meetings held through the year
How much time does it take up?
Quite often councillors say that their duties occupy them for about an hour a week. Obviously, there are some councillors who spend more time than this – and some less, but in the main, being a, parish councillor is an enjoyable way of contributing to your community, and helping to make it a better place to live and work.
As a councillor representing your community you will help keep it a great place to live and work. You will be supported in your role and will be expected to undertake training. You should have a positive outlook and a can-do attitude and be willing to work as part of a team.
If after reading this notice you are interested in applying, please contact the clerk to the council using the above details.
Closing date for applications is 10th November 2024
Parish Council Meeting – Monday 2nd December, 7pm at the Village Hall
Just a quick reminder to anyone wishing to attend the next Parish Council Meeting.
The meeting is on Monday 2nd December, at the Village Hall.
The meeting starts at 7.00pm.
Future Scheduled Elections.
There are currently no elections scheduled
Dog Fouling – The Risks & The Law
Dog Fouling
Dog fouling anywhere is an environmental nuisance and has the potential to cause harm to people, livestock and wildlife.
Dog fouling is not only deeply unpleasant, it is dangerous. Whilst rare, contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis in humans (children are especially vulnerable) – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures.
Dogs and the law
The Cotswold District Council Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), makes it an offence if you do not remove any poo deposited by your dog. This removal must be done without delay. The Order, made under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, applies to all public, open, land in the District whether or not warning signs are displayed. The PSPO also requires dog walkers to carry the means to pick up dog poo whilst on a walk. Any breach of the Order could result in a £100 fixed penalty notice or being taken to court and receiving a fine on conviction of up to £1000.
The PSPO does not apply to blind or partially-sighted people with guide dogs and those with other trained assistance dogs for specific disabilities.
Dog Fouling & Risk to Livestock & Wildlife
Whilst the risk to people is relatively small, the risk to livestock and wildlife is higher.
The NFU provides the following guidance on the dangers of dog fouling:
- Do not let your dog foul in fields and don’t leave poo bags on the ground or tied to fences
- Dog owners MUST bag and bin their dog’s poo – it carries a parasite called Neospora which causes abortions in farm animals
- Bags left on the ground can be eaten by farm or wild animals and cause a slow, painful death
Dog waste bins are provided through the village but if you don’t pass one on your walk, you should take the poop home and place it in your black bin. If you find a bin is full it can be reported here: https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/environment/litter-street-cleaning-and-dog-fouling/
Livestock Worrying
Another risk to the safety of livestock and dogs is ‘livestock worrying’.
This is a term to describe a dog being loose around farm animals, chasing in a way which might cause injury or suffering or attacking the animal. It is a criminal offence and carries a fine of up to £1000.
Under the law, a farmer has the right to shoot a dog which is worrying livestock and cannot be controlled.
Dog owners are legally obliged to keep their pets under control at all times.
Blue Cross offer the following advice to keep you, your pet and livestock safe.
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/wellbeing-and-care/dogs-and-livestock
Thank you for your co- operation.
Parish Council
Walking your dog in the countryside
Gloucestershire County Council has produced a very useful guide on walking your dog in the local area. Please download this below.
Attachments
Total Attachments: 1
Download: DogWalkingLeafletV1 (563 KB)