The Parish Council is the lowest tier of local goverment. It is an elected body with responsibility for a variety of local governmental matters, its main focus being the scrutiny of planning applications and the development of local planning policy. SAPC also has responsibility for the management of certain local amenities, including the following:
The Clerk is the only paid member of the Parish Council, and also the only non-elected and non-voting member. In Stoke Albany it is a part-time role, funded for 26 hours per month. The Clerk is usually formally qualified in local government matters and is also the Responsible Financial Officer of the Council. Among other duties, he/she will draft the agenda and take minutes at meetings, and will offer advice to the other Council members on legal and procedural matters. The Clerk often acts as the primary liaison with other civil servants and departments within North Northants Council, which is the next highest tier of local government above SAPC.
The Chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the other Councillors, most obviously in the running of meetings. He/She makes sure that the meeting follows the agenda, and that everyone present gets their fair chance to speak if they wish. The Chair also works closely with the Clerk to liaise with other agencies and members of the public, and often is the first port of call for Parishioners who wish to raise an issue with the Council. In the event of an otherwise tied vote at Council meetings, the Chair will have an extra casting vote to determine the outcome of the resolution.
The Vice-Chair deputises in the absence of the Chair, and may be an ex-Chair or a Chair-in-waiting.
Together with the Chair and Vice-Chair, the Councillors debate and vote on any matters put before the Council. They have a duty to scrutinise the work of the Chair, Vice-Chair and Clerk, and often act as the "eyes and ears" of the Council within the village.