Parish and town councils

Parish councils can provide certain local services and facilities and can charge the cost of these to the local community. Examples of the powers available to these councils include providing bus shelters, litter bins and seats, and repairing and maintaining footpaths and street lighting to nname a few. In some cases the principal authority can give parish councils additional powers leading to consultation between the two parties relating to such items as crime prevention initiatives, planning applications, licensing applications and traffic regulation orders.

In May 1998, we received petition from registered electors in Southsea calling for the formation of an urban parish in an area in Southsea. In December 1998 the government agreed to establish the parish (now town) council and it was set up in May 1999. The area is divided into five electoral wards, with a total of 15 councillors who each serve for four years.