What is Keyworth Parish Council?

Keyworth Parish Council has been in existence since 1894. It originally comprised eleven councillors, but now consists of seventeen: thirteen representing the South Ward, and four representing the North.

Properties

The Parish Council owns and maintains (or finances the maintenance of) the following properties in the village:

Council Office

Village Hall, Elm Avenue, Keyworth, NG12 5AN.

The office is normally open on weekdays, except Tuesdays, from 9.30am to 1.00pm.

The Village Hall, Centenary Lounge & Feignies Room

These are hired out for all manner of functions and activities. The premises are licensed for the sale of alcohol by prior arrangement with the Parish Council, and enquiries should directed to the Bookings Clerk.

Wysall Lane Burial Ground

…and an adjoining plot of land into which the burial ground will ultimately be extended.

Nature Reserve

The Nature Reserve is on the west side of Lings Lane.

Playing Fields & Recreational Facilities

The playing fields and recreational facilities near the Village Hall are leased to the Keyworth Playing Fields Association, for which the Parish Council provides financial support.

The Parish Council has leased a plot of land near the school on Nottingham Road, where it has established a children’s play area, and land on Platt Lane where a skatepark and trials-bike course have been set up with funds raised by the Ultrawheelz Management Group.

The Parish Council has a financial interest in the playing fields on Platt Lane, and provides financial support for the management committee which is responsible for their maintenance.

Staff

In addition to the office staff (see above), the Council also employs two cleaners and a handyman, and pays for the services of a groundsman and a security guard.

Meetings

The Council and its standing committees meet on a regular basis, most meetings taking place at 7.30pm on Mondays. The standing committees cover a variety of topics including:

• review of planning applications
• village hall developments
• amenities including footpaths and play areas
• the burial ground
• community liaison
• finance

Full Council meetings take place every month and are usually held in the Centenary Lounge whilst advisory group meetings normally take place in the Green Room. At the Full Council Meeting/AGM in May the Chair and Vice-Chair are elected for the following year. All of these meetings are open to the public check out our meetings calendar.

Finance

All of the above is funded by the precept on the council tax and other income:-

• Hire fees for the Village Hall and Centenary Lounge.
• Burial Ground fees.
• Investment income.
• Grant assistance from the Borough Council as appropriate.

The Parish Council usually sets the precept towards the end of January, based on an estimate of its outgoings during the next financial year (1 April to 31 March) offset by the other sources of income mentioned above.

Consultation

The Parish Council is limited in its authority and powers – its main role is to act as ‘advocate’ for the village by liaising with the Rushcliffe Borough Council, the County Council and other agencies and raising issues of concern to Keyworth residents. The latter may cover any aspect of the village ‘environment’ including roads and parking, crime and anti-social behaviour, building planning and borough maintenance.

To be successful in this role it is critical that parishioners make their views known by letter or e-mail to the Council office or by talking to any of the current councillors whose names can be found on this web site.