About the Parish Council

Ripponden Parish Council exists to work on ‘quality of life’ issues that affect the residents of Barkisland, Ripponden, Rishworth and Soyland. The Council was established by Act of Parliament in 1972, and, despite being named a “Parish” Council, has no formal connections with the Church of England. The Parish Council is the lowest level of local government in the area.

General Overview

Ripponden Parish Council makes all kinds of decisions on issues that affect the local community. The most common issues that we get involved with are planning matters (we are statutory consultees), crime prevention, managing open spaces, and campaigning for, and delivering better, services and facilities.

It’s true to say that, on our own, the Parish Council has limited powers to make decisions. But we do have the ability to negotiate with, and the power to influence, those other organisations that do make the final decisions, such as Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, the health authorities, and the police.

In this respect, Ripponden Parish Council is a relatively powerful body. The organisations that make the final decisions know that we will give the best reflection of how our community feels about something, and our views are taken seriously.

Representation

Ripponden Parish Council represents your views on matters of planning and civic infrastructure, such as play areas, road layout and improvement schemes. We receive all planning applications in the area and Calderdale MBC must consider our comments. Calderdale MBC, however, has the final say on all applications.

Community

Ripponden Parish Council supports community activities through our grant programme for local organisations. We help sports clubs provide new equipment, assist local environment groups with the purchase of seeds and plants, and contribute towards insurance for activity days, alongside aiding groups for the elderly and supporting community festivals.

Safety

Ripponden Parish Council ensures the relevant local crime and safety authorities and forums are aware of anti-social behaviour and other crime in the area.

Environment

The Council works intensively to improve local environmental issues. We are involved with action on fly-tipping and dog-fouling, improving footpaths and bridleways, renovating benches and noticeboards, and supporting local horticultural groups and organisations.

Events

Ripponden Parish Council organises the Parish Remembrance Sunday parade and service. We are also responsible for the Christmas lights and trees in the Parish.

How do we do it?

Ripponden Parish Council meets twice a month on a Thursday for the council meeting, to which members of the public are also invited. Meetings may last approximately two hours, depending on the agenda set for the meeting to discuss.

The Parish Council also has committees that meet on an occasional basis to deal with specific subjects, such as environmental issues or finance.

In addition to the regular meetings, our councillors are required to attend other meetings representing the council: for example, one of our councillors may act as a representative on an outside body, be involved with community activities or help develop a new project for the community.

Come see what we do

We encourage members of the Public to attend our meetings.

If you wish to speak at a meeting, the Council will suspend its work for a time to allow you to speak. This is normally early in the agenda.

Once this item has passed, the Council will not normally allow members of the Public to address the Council.

If you wish to speak to the Council, or ask questions of the Council, then please speak to the Clerk, who will let you know how to go about this.