Brixworth Parish Council is made up of up to fourteen elected or co-opted local residents, and meets at least once a month in the Brixworth Community Centre . The Parish Council employs a Parish Clerk, Administrative Assistant, a Cleaner and two Groundsmen.
The Parish Council meetings are usually open to the public, unless there is private or confidential business to be discussed.
The Parish Council has a Youth Council, which was formed in February 2025.
In addition to full meetings of the Council, there are Committees, as show in the hierarchy above, further details are provided below. Committees have designated powers to make decisions on behalf of the Council. Their actions are reported to the Council.
Established Working Groups are used to explore options and present findings to the Council. Occasionally Working groups may be formed to work on projects or events. The Council will consider recommendations made by the working groups, before any action is taken.
Parish Council Committee and Working Group Membership
Planning Committee
The Planning Committee comprises of seven nominated members of the Parish Council and the Clerk. Meetings are held once every three weeks, although may be cancelled if there are no planning applications to consider.
BPC does not make a final decision on any planning application put before it, it is an advisory body to Daventry District.
However the BPC’s role is important as its recommendations are based on local knowledge including:• The suitability of the site for the proposed use;• Conflict with Council or National Planning policies;
• Whether the appearance and size of proposals are in keeping with the village and neighbouring properties;
• Whether the proposal will overshadow or overlook neighbouring properties;
• Whether the proposal will generate noise or disturbance;
• If the access and parking arrangements are safe and suitable;
• The visual impact and loss of trees or hedgerows.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee comprises of five nominated members of the Parish Council and the Clerk. The meetings are held once every three months, but Committee meetings can be called at any time, if required by the Council. Approved minutes are reported to Full Council for information.BPC is allowed to decide how to spend its own budget and the function of the Committee is to advise on financial matters including:
– Preparing an Annual Budget Report and recommending the budget and precept.
– Budget Monitoring
– Financial Regulations
– Risk Management
– Insurance
– Internal Controls & Financial Systems
– Audit Reports
– Review of Financial Policies including
– Procurement including ‘Best Value’
– Ensures that all the Parish Council’s Financial Policies & Procedures are up to
date and relevant.
– Asset Management.
Meetings are open to the public, although part of the meeting may be held privately if confidential matters are to be discussed and the Committee resolves to enter closed session.
Personnel Committee
The Personnel Committee comprises of five nominated members of the Parish Council and the Clerk. The meetings are held once every three months, but Committee meetings can be called at any time, if required by the Council.
This Committee reviews and makes decisions about staff related matters such as job descriptions, pay and working conditions and the overall operating structure.
Meetings are open to the public, although part of the meeting may be held privately if confidential matters are to be discussed and the Committee resolves to enter closed session.
Health & Safety Committee
The health and Safety Committee comprises of three nominated members of the Parish Council, the Clerk and Administrative Assistant. The committee works in collaboration with Worknest Health and Safety, our chosen consultants, on all relevant Health and Safety matters to ensure the committee is provided with advice and guidance relating to legislation, safe working procedures and protocols, for and on behalf of the Parish Council. The H&S Committee meets as and when required.
This Committee oversees matters such as serious accidents and near misses, significant ill-health reports, changes in work practises or equipment, employee complaints and concerns, regulatory visits or enforcement notices, emergency preparedness, compliance and trend analysis.
Working Groups
The Parish Council also has established “Working Groups”. The Working Groups can not make a decision on behalf of the Parish Council. Their purpose is to explore options and present them the to the Council for a decision.
Our Current Working Groups are:
- Sports Liaison Working Group
- Strategic Planning Working Group
- Climate Action Working Group (BCAG)
- Buildings Working Group
- Events Working Group
In February 2025, Brixworth Parish Council was awarded the Bronze Award from NCALC as the Parish Council was able to demonstrate all of the minimum requirements for operating lawfully and in accordance with standard practise.
