About the Council

The Formation of Cawston Parish Council

In 2002 a public consultation was held where residents of Cawston decided that they would like to formally express an interest in becoming a parish council. Of course, when the Cawston Grange Estate was developed it became part of Dunchurch Parish Council. It was always recognised that this was only a temporary situation and that one day Cawston would either become a parish of it's own or become part of Rugby Borough Council directly.

Who are Cawston Parish Council?

Cawston Parish Council is made up of a maximum of 10 councillors and 1 paid employee who carries out the role of clerk to the council and the Responsible Finance Officer (RFO).

Where does the money come from?

Cawston Parish Council is funded out of taxes or precept. The parish council set the precept each year which is collected by Rugby Borough Council on the same bill as your council tax. There is a separate line item called "Cawston Parish Council Precept". Everyone who pays council tax within the boundary of Cawston Parish, also has to pay the precept to Cawston Parish Council.

How does the council conduct business?

The council meets once a month at 'normal' meetings which are held on the Second Wednesday of Every Month (see the calendar for exact dates). Meetings are held at Cawston Grange Primary School. Councillors are not invited to meetings, they are summoned and have to attend by law. Of course, there will always be occasions when people cannot attend and on these occasions, the councillor can give their apologies. A meeting can still take place as long as it is “quorate”. The quorum for Cawston Parish Council is a minimum of 4 councillors.

The business to be conducted and discussed by the council will be published in the form of an agenda at least 3 clear working days before a meeting. For example, if a normal meeting is on Wednesday, the agenda would be published on the preceding Thursday to allow Friday, Monday & Tuesday as the clear days. You cannot include the day of publishing the agenda or the day of the meeting as a clear day. Technically, you can include Saturdays and Sundays, although we will try and avoid doing this where possible.The agenda will be published in the notice boards in Cawston and also on this web site.

The council can only discuss and make decisions that have been previously published on the agenda. There is also no provision for "any other business".

Now and again the council may need to hold an 'extraordinary meeting' to discuss business that needs to be dealt with before the date of the next ordinary meeting. The same rules apply and an agenda has to be published at least three clear days before the meeting takes place.

How to have your say and attend meetings

Normal meetings have a 15 minute session at the beginning of the meeting where members of the public can ask questions or make representations to the council. All meetings are held in public where any member of the public can observe proceedings. However, no one has the right to speak when a council meeting is in session (except the councillors) which will start at 7:30pm, unless in exceptional circumstances, the chairman gives permission and adjourns the meeting.

Of course, you can always contact one of the councillors to discuss any issues you may have. Click here for councillors' contact details.