The Parish Council

This page contains information relating to Bidford Parish Council.
Simply scroll through or click one of the boxes below to be directed to the relevant section.

Bidford-on-Avon Parish Council, which is the tier of local government closest to its community, was created in 1895 – just one year after parish councils were formed under the Local Government Act of 1984 “to take over local oversight of civic duties in rural town and villages from the vestry committee”.

Bidford-on-Avon Parish Council covers the village of Bidford-on-Avon itself, as well as Broom and the hamlets of Barton and Marlcliff and its 6,101 residents are represented by 10 Councillors, all of which are elected every 4 years. The Chairman of the parish Council is elected, annually, by the Parish Council at its Annual Meeting, which takes place every year in May.

It is divided into 2 wards:

• Bidford East – represented by 5 councillors
• Bidford West – represented by 5 councillors

It is also represented by 1 County Councillor (first tier of local government) and by 2 District Councillors at Stratford-on-Avon DC (second tier of local government).

As required by law, the Parish Council employs a Clerk, also known as Proper Officer, who is the Chief Executive of the Council: it is the Clerk’s duty to advise Council, carry out its instructions and act as administrator. And a Responsible Financial Officer (RFO. Often, as is the current case, the Clerk and the RFO are one and the same.

Bidford-on-Avon Parish Council is responsible for the allotments, cemeteries and play areas/public open space. It also maintains the grass verges and the churchyard in behalf of District Council.

The Council holds Parish Council meetings once a month: on the last Monday (except Bank Holidays) and monthly Consultative Planning Committee meetings on the second Monday of the month. All meetings are open to the public who are able to raise issues under an Item called Public Forum – this is, however, the only time they can.

It also has 2 main Working Groups, which meet regularly and send reports and recommendation to Full Council for approval, namely:

• Facilities WG
• Play areas
• Sport
• How best to support businesses
• High Street Development
• Industrial Estates
• Youth and Community WG
• Youth
• Elderly and vulnerable
• Community

Following the decision of the Parish Council to review its Recreation Strategy, a new Working Group 'Your Village, Your Voice' was set up in November 2021. This is an extensive project to improve the recreation facilities, both indoors and outdoors, of the village based on the survey replies received. The Parish Council appointed a Project Manager to independently manage the project to ensure the best outcome for the local community. It is envisaged that volunteer members of the community will be invited to form part of this project to truly make it Your Village, Your Voice.

Following the Localism Act 2011, the Parish Council, together with members of the local community, worked on a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP), which went to Referendum on 29th June 2017, and was passed with a 94.1% support. It was “made” i.e. became a statutory document, in July 2017 and, since then, its policies must be taken into account when considering any planning applications. Although a NDP does not prevent development, it is a useful document for managing it and the NDP policies have been instrumental in a number of planning appeals being dismissed by Planning Inspectors.

Bidford-on-Avon is a very active Parish Council, always looking at ways to improve the quality of life of its local community and welcomes any good ideas from residents.

The agenda for upcoming meetings will be available here a few days before each meeting. Please click the button to view the latest agenda (opens PDF).

Annual Parish Assembly

Draft Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly held on Monday 30th May
2022 at 8.05p.m. at The Parish Meeting Room, Bramley Way, Bidford-on-Avon

• Mon 20 May 2024 (Annual Parish Council Meeting)
• Mon 29 April 2024
• Mon 25 March 2024
• Mon 26 February 2024
• Mon 22 January 2024
• Mon 18 December 2023
• Mon 27 November 2023
• Mon 30 October 2023
• Mon 25 September 2023
• Mon 21 August 2023
• Mon 31 July 2023
• Mon 26 June 2023
• Mon 22 May 2023 (regular Parish Council Meeting)
• Thu 18 May 2023 (Annual Parish Council Meeting)
• Mon 24 April 2023
• Mon 27 March 2023
• Mon 27 February 2023
• Mon 23 January 2023

• Mon 19 December 2022
• Mon 28 November 2022
• Mon 31 October 2022
• Mon 26 September 2022
• Mon 22 August 2022
• Mon 25 July 2022
• Mon 27 June 2022
• Mon 30 May 2022 (regular Parish Council meeting)
• Mon 30 May 2022 (Annual Meeting of Parish Council)
• Mon 25 April 2022
• Mon 28 March 2022
• Mon 28 February 2022
• Mon 24 January 2022

You can download a PDF of the map below by clicking this link.

Although Spanish (and married to a Dane) I was educated in England and have lived here, with my husband, since 1980 moving to Broom in December 1990.

After working 14 years in Pershore, I became Clerk to Bidford-on-Avon Parish Council on 1st August 2004. I have found it an interesting and challenging job which has changed over the years, becoming more professional and demanding.

I am a “Qualified Clerk” having obtained my Certificate in Local Council Administration (known as CiLCA) in 2008 and, with the support of the Parish Council, my BA (Hons) degree, at the University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham in Community Engagement and Governance (CEG) in 2014 (at the ripe age of 60). Studying and working at the same time was demanding and gave me little time for myself: but it was worth it as the knowledge has stood me in good stead helping me to carry out my work to the best of my ability.

I speak English, Spanish and Danish with some knowledge of French. I am a Liverpool FC supporter, love reading, walking and watching sport in general. I am also a Director of Bidford Community Library, having worked hard with the then Chairman, Cllr Mike Gerrard, to ensure it remained open to service the local community.
I am also a Director of the Warwickshire and West Midlands Association of Local Councils Ltd (WALC Ltd) and the Chairman of its Stratford Area Meeting.

Register of Councillor's Disclosable Pecuniary Interests - you can find details of the interests that have been notified by Councillors on the Stratford District Council website (external link).

• Bidford East - Daren Pemberton
  Telephone: 07970 064759
  Email: daren.pemberton@stratford-dc.gov.uk
• Bidford West and Salford – Bill Fleming
  Telephone: 01789 772590
  Email: councillor.fleming@gmail.com

• Daren Pemberton
  Telephone: 07970 064759
  Email: darenpemberton@warwickshire.gov.uk

• Nadhim Zahawi
  Email : Nadhim.zahawi.mp@parliament.uk
  www.zahawi.com
  Surgeries are held every second Friday – to make an appointment call 01789 292723.

The Parish Council is open to the public Monday to Friday 10.00am to 1.00pm.

The Parish Council Office is located in the same building as Bidford CE Primary School and Bidford Community Library on Bramley Way, to the right of the main school reception entrance.

View and download the Parish Council's annual accounts and details of expenditure over £500 dating back to 2015/16. Clicking the button will open a new panel.

Accounts relating to the year ending 31 March 2024 (click links to open PDF)

• Unaudited statements of accounts 2023/24
• Budget 2023/2024
• Notice of Public Rights & Publication 2023/24

Accounts relating to the year ending 31 March 2023 (click links to open PDF)

• Annual Return Including Final Report & Notice of Conclusion of Audit
• Budget 2022/2023
• Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2022/23
• Annual Return for Year ending 31^st March 2023
• Unaudited Financial Statement for the year ending 31st March 2023
• Interim Audit Statement
• Notice of Conclusion of Annual Audit 2022/23

Accounts relating to the year ending 31 March 2022 (click links to open PDF)

• Annual Accounts including Final Report
• Financial Statements
• Notice of Audit & Accountability Return
• Budget 2021/2022
• Notice of Public Rights - June 2022
• Annual Return
• Parish Council Accounts – Unaudited Financial Statement

Parish Councils have powers to represent and support their local communities. They protect local environments and provide local services and facilities. Many of the decisions involve public money so it is essential that the council's business is conducted in a correct and transparent manner.

In order to achieve transparency, confidence and legal decision-making, there are rules for conducting business, established in law and good practice, namely Procedures which:

• help the council to act in a legal and consistent manner;
• protect the council from making unlawful decisions;
• support good chairmanship;
• guide councillors.

Standing Orders represent agreement among councillors and help the Chairman manage the meetings and prevent disagreement over how to conduct business. Standing Orders are regularly reviewed by the Parish Council, and updated when appropriate. An order required by law will be in bold. Click the link below to view the Standing Order Procedures in full.

Standing Order Procedures - updated May 2021

Financial Regulations govern the conduct of financial management by the council and set out how the council meets its responsibilities. Like Standing Orders they are regularly reviewed and updated.

Financial Regulations - updated May 2021

Freedom of Information as required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Parish Council has adopted a model scheme approved by the Information Commissioner.

The Parish Council may also adopt other procedures that assist it in carrying out its functions.

Freedom of Information Act: Model Publication Scheme - adopted 2008

View and download the 2021 Census Figures for Bidford-on-Avon Parish. If using a PDF reader, click the button below to view a PDF of the results.