How do those of us in the villages represent our views and take action?
The Parish Councils represent the village with local authorities and other bodies. They also organise some activities in the village, such as annual litter picks, cutting the grass at The Green and help to maintain the village website and Village Link magazine.
The Parish Council advises the local authorities about planning applications, such as
- Rural vision (the future of West Suffolk)
- Building houses or house extensions
- Change of use to housing land, e.g. the Goldings Farm plans, cutting trees, Haverhill relief road
Decisions for Little Thurlow Parish Council are made monthly at meetings held at the village hall on the third Tuesday of every month (except August). Great Thurlow Parish Council meets about once every two months. Parishioners are always welcome to attend. Each meeting has a public session where villagers may voice their opinions. About fifty parishioners attended a Parish Council meeting when we were considering an application to build houses near the village school.
The largest items on which the Parish Councils spend money are establishing & maintaining the village website, the Village Link, cutting the grass at The Sports Club, including maintaining the play equipment.
You can join one of the Parish Councils by applying when a position becomes available