There are three tiers of local government with areas of responsibility in Pilling –
Lancashire County Council,
Wyre Borough Council and
Pilling Parish Council.

The Role of Parish and Town Councils
What is a Parish or Town Council?
'Parish and town councils are the foundation of local government. They are the level of
government closest to the people and have a vital role to play in improving local quality of life.
They can influence decisions that affect local people, help bring life to local communities and
offer a way of making sure services meet the needs of residents'.
                                                                            Parish and Town Council Charter in November 2008

Parish councils were formed in 1894 and are the smallest area of civil administration in England.
They are the level of local government closest to the people. Councillors serve for a maximum
period of four years.

Parish & Town Councils role in the community?
Parish councils have a wide range of duties and powers. A council may resolve to call itself a town
council if it so wishes. Councils must be given the power by law before they can act. They are led
by the chairman and advised by the clerk. Meetings are open to the public. Time is allowed for
residents to give their views and ask questions. Meetings are held mostly in the evening. A good
council listens to its electors and represents their views. It also works in partnership with other
authorities and various organisations to bring benefit to the parish/town. Councillors must sign a
declaration of acceptance of office upon election and must agree to the Code of Conduct before
they may act as a councillor. Money for projects is raised from local taxation (precept) and from
grants. That money is spent wholly within the parish/town and will add value to the services
provided by the principal authorities.

Links -  www.nalc.gov.uk/...parish...town_council/What_is_a_council.aspx

Powers and Duties of a Parish Council

Pilling Parish Council

Ten local people serve as Councillors on the Parish Council. They are all volunteers and receive no pay for the work they do on behalf of the Parish. Elections to serve as a Parish Councillor are held every four years, unless there is a resignation when the casual vacancy is advertised on the notice boards and the Parish Newsletter.

There are full meetings of the Parish Council every month throughout the year, which take place in The Comrades Room, Pilling Memorial Hall, on Taylors Lane.   These meetings are held on the second Wednesday commencing at 7.00pm. All meetings of the Council are open to the public and there is a short period just after the start of each meeting put aside for questions from the public.

An important part of the role of the Parish Council is to represent the views of the Parish in response to various public consultations.

During the meeting the Councillors look at planning applications received by the Planning Authority and pass their comments on to them. The Parish Council always tries to represent the views put forward by local people in this regard, although sometimes this can prove difficult when an application is controversial and has both vocal support and opposition amongst local residents. Nevertheless, members of the Council take a vigilant approach in representing the local viewpoint, and encourage objectors/supporters of planning applications to attend meetings and put forward their views.

The Parish's War Memorial is looked after by the Parish Council. It is situated on the front lawn of St. John the Baptist Church, School Lane. The Parish Council also work in partnership with the Royal British Legion to organise the annual service of remembrance in November.

The Christmas Tree is located on the Village Green, School Lane and is provided each year by the Parish Council. The lighting up ceremony is held on the first Monday of December at 7.00pm, when carols are sung to the accompaniment of Pilling Jubilee Silver Band. Both the Primary Schools are invited and join in with the festivities and the ecumenical group bless the proceedings and the tree. 

The Parish Council organise the Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party, held in the Methodist Hall, Smallwood Hey Road on the second Tuesday in December.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE? -

Anyone aged 65 or over, on the day of the party, accompanied by their partner. Anyone who has attended previously, but his or her qualifying partner has died, is still eligible and very welcome.

Parish Councillors will also ensure that you are able to attend offering transportation to those without a car. Often guests share their car with other guests.

Christmas Party guests start arriving about 4.30 pm with tea served by Pilling Parish Councillors and entertainment into the evening.

The public seats in the Parish are owned and maintained by the Parish Council. These are situated:

1 x Bradshaw Lane/Lancaster Road junction

1 x adjacent Cornthwaites, Lancaster Road

1 x adjacent Abram House, Smallwood Hey Road

1 x Fluke Hall Lane, new location

1 x Wheel Lane

1 x Lane Ends Amenity Area plus 2 picnic tables

1 x Recreation Field

1 x Eagland Hill

1 x Carr Lane bungalows, Smallwood Hey Road

2 x School Lane (opposite Golden Ball Hotel)

1 x Fluke Hall Lane, in front of Carr Holm, Fluke Hall Lane, presented by the Best Kept Village Competition

1 x Village Green

1 x Pilling Hall duck pond, Horse Park Lane

There are 3 Parish Council noticeboards around the Parish which are used for the display of Parish Council agendas for the next meeting, planning applications and a list of Parish Councillors.

These are situated at:

1 x Eagland Hill

1 x Bradshaw Lane/Lancaster Road junction

1 x Reading Rooms car park, School Lane

There is a footpath notice situated at Lane Ends Amenity Area

The footpath out onto the marsh was preserved for the use of residents when the sea wall was constructed in the 1980’s. It reads:

Built by United Utilities in the 1980's following a number of serious floods, the sea wall protects the hinterland and the village of Pilling.  It also allows safe passage on the A588, which used to be flooded twice a day.

There are two Pilling Area Road Signs

2 x Eagland Hill

2 x Scronkey

Denoting the hamlets within the Parish.

Pilling has a Pinfold one of only five in the area.

The Parish Council are represented on the following outside bodies:

Lancashire County Council’s responsibilities include:

Wyre Borough Council’s responsibilities include: