Local Government In Wales
Community councils are the first tier of local government in Wales (the second tier being Counties, County Boroughs or Cities). Wales now operates under the Unitary Authority principle, which means that there are no longer any intermediate councils, such as Districts or Boroughs. Our County Council is Monmouthshire County Council.
Community councils in Wales are identical to English parish councils in terms of their powers and the way they operate. Some community councils are known as Town Councils, such as, for example, Monmouth and Abergavenny. However, town councils' powers and responsibilities are identical to those of community councils.
Members (councillors) are elected for a term of four years. In the event of a vacancy occurring mid-term, advertisements are placed in the local press seeking volunteers. Should there be more than one volunteer, the community council will conduct informal interviews at a scheduled meeting.
Community councils are funded principally by an annual precept. Income and expenditure for the next financial year are calculated in the form of estimates. The net amount (the precept) is added to council tax, which is collected by the County, County Borough or City councils (principal authorities) and paid to communities. Community councils can apply for other funding such as grant and funding awards, but they do not receive funds direct from central government as principal authorities do.
Until 1974 Wales was divided into civil parishes. These were abolished by section 20(6) of the Local Government Act 1972 and replaced by Communities by section 27 of the same Act. The Principal Areas of Wales are divided entirely into communities. Unlike in England, where unparished areas exist, no part of Wales is outside a Community, even in urban areas.
Trellech United Community Council covers the villages of Catbrook, Llandogo, Llanishen, Penallt, The Narth, Trellech, Whitebrook and their surrounding areas - see map . Each village is called a Ward, which has either one or two community councillors, dependant upon the size of its population.
The councillor(s) for your Ward are shown here.
Currently, all Trellech United's councillors are independent of affiliation to any political party. However, candidates may stand for election either as independents or representing a political party. Community councillors are unpaid.
