South Stoke & Midford Parish Council works for the benefit of the community, which comprises the village of South Stoke and the majority of the village of Midford. In simple terms, a parish council can be regarded as “the custodian of the parish charged to maintain its environment in all aspects for the benefit of the parishioners”.
The Parish Council is elected by the parishioners to carry out the custodian function as laid down in the Local Government Acts of 1972 and 2000, and the Localism Act 2011. Under these statutes the Parish Council has wide ranging powers; these it uses with discretion, taking into account at all times the views of its parishioners, as it deals with items such as: planning (both planning control and future planning policy), roads and footways, public transport, footpaths and bridleways, street lighting, public open spaces, allotments, etc.
A budget is set annually. Planned expenditure less income forms the “Parish Precept”, which is levied as part of the annual Council Tax. The precept for April 2018 to March 2019 is £9,858, together with a Local Council Grant of £30. To help fulfil its duties the Council employs a part time Clerk and one part time sweeper, who looks after both South Stoke and Midford.