Get Involved with Nassington Parish Council
Local Councils: At the Heart of Your Community
Parish and town councils are the closest tier of government to residents, playing an essential role in shaping their communities. With increased legal responsibilities and greater transparency requirements—including a mandatory online presence—these councils have more influence than ever to drive positive change.
As higher-tier council resources become increasingly stretched, parish councils must rise to the challenge of maintaining and enhancing local services. Nassington Parish Council is committed to keeping our village one of the finest in Northamptonshire.
A Strong, Forward-Thinking Council
Nassington Parish Council has anticipated the challenges and opportunities of localism. As a proactive and resilient council, we are well-placed to take on services that might otherwise be lost. Our priorities include:
- Ensuring economic opportunities while maintaining residents’ well-being
- Adapting to 21st-century challenges with a strategic, long-term approach
- Encouraging community responsibility and securing funding for local projects
- Enhancing the parish, helping it grow to help maintain services and the community, whilst supporting nature recovery, strengthening biodiversity and looking at integrated ways of contributing to net zero outcomes.
Are you ready to be part of this effort?
What Makes a Great Parish Councillor?
We need people who are:
✔ Digital by default
✔ Patient, persistent, and committed
✔ Practical and collaborative team players
✔ Analytical thinkers who focus on solutions
✔ Willing to undertake training to enable them to understand the role fully
✔ Open to constructive debate without taking things personally
Parish councils are gaining more responsibilities under localism, including potential planning functions in the future. To succeed, we need councillors who can balance everyday statutory duties with long-term community development.
The Role of a Parish Councillor
Councillors work in three key areas:
- Decision-making – Attending meetings to contribute to decisions on local services, budgets, and policies
- Monitoring – Ensuring council decisions lead to effective and efficient services
- Community engagement – Representing and supporting residents and local organisations
Council Responsibilities
Nassington Parish Council oversees:
- Community Assets: Playing field, play equipment, outdoor gym, allotments, churchyard, benches, pocket park, cemetery .
- Services & Infrastructure: Street lighting, affordable housing, small grants, planning consultations, urban verge maintenance.
- Local Issues: Consultee in matters concerning Housing, transport, environment, education, safety, business support, and youth engagement.
Why Parish Councils Matter
The Localism Act empowers councils to take greater control over local services, funding, and initiatives. As part of the ‘big society’ and levelling-up agenda, active and engaged councils will play a critical role in shaping the future of their towns and villages.
There are around 10,000 parish and town councils in England and Wales, each working to represent and support their local communities. With local authorities passing more responsibilities to grassroots governance, strong parish councils are essential for resilient, thriving communities.
Essential Skills for Councillors
- Commitment to the Community – A genuine passion for improving local life
- Strong Communication – Engaging with residents and advocating for their needs
- Active Listening – Taking on board concerns and ideas from the community
- Problem-Solving – Analysing issues and working towards solutions
- Integrity & Ethics – Acting in the best interests of the parish
- Knowledge & Learning – Understanding council functions and staying informed
- Collaboration – Working effectively with fellow councillors and organisations
- Time Management – Balancing council duties with other commitments
- Resilience & Adaptability – Managing different opinions and evolving challenges
- Leadership & Initiative – Driving change and encouraging community involvement
How to Get Involved
To learn more about what it means to be a parish councillor, download:
📖 The Good Councillor’s Guide
📖 It Takes All Sorts – Examples of Parish Councillors
Have a look here: https://www.nalc.gov.uk/campaigns/becoming-a-councillor/what-parish-and-town-councils-and-councillors-do.html
Councillor’s stories: https://www.nalc.gov.uk/campaigns/becoming-a-councillor/councillor-stories.html
All information relating to the process of standing for election is one te Electoral Commission website- follow this link: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/guidance-candidates-parish-council-elections-england/nominations/completing-your-nomination-papers/nomination-form
Sarah Rodger, Clerk to Nassington Parish Council, can provide paper copies of the nomination forms, or you can print your own from here:
You can contact her via clerk@nassington-pc.gov.uk or 01780 435084. She is also able to let you have electoral numbers (Polling District and Elector Number) for the nomination papers
If you’re interested in standing for election or filling a vacancy via co-option, contact the parish clerk or a current councillor for more information:
📩 Nassington Parish Council Contact Page