How Are Parish Councils Funded?

Parish councils do not receive any assistance directly from the Central Government. They are funded instead by annual precepts. The Income and Expenditure of a particular council is calculated in the form of estimates and not actual figures and then this is added to council tax that is to be collected by the county, district council or borough. The parish then receives the amount in two instalments spaced over six months. If further money is required the councils can raise the same through funding awards and grants. In England Parish councils form the first tier or layer of local government. In England and Wales alone there are over ten thousand community, town and parish councils. They support nearly a hundred thousand councillors amongst them. A parish council will look after the parish courtyard, the village hall, help keep the village clean etc.