Each Civil Parish is an independent local democratic unit, usually in a rural location, small town or suburb of an urban area. A Parish with an electorate of more than 200 people has a Parish Council with powers to provide and maintain certain facilities which may include: halls and leisure facilities, playing fields and village greens. Maintenance of allotments, bus shelters, cemeteries, public seats, rights of way, and some street lighting can be included. Joint local projects with other authorities may be undertaken.

Parish Councils have a vital role in obtaining and representing local views and, as a statutory body, are consulted by other public authorities such as Borough Councils, County Councils, Government Departments and Health Authorities on specific issues affecting the Parish. They have a legal right to be consulted on planning applications and are consulted on highway and school matters.

The public are encouraged to attend meetings which are usually held monthly. Parish Council decisions are taken by elected Councillors. Each Parish Council appoints a Clerk who deals with correspondence, reports to the Council, takes minutes of its meetings and undertakes other duties on behalf of the Parish Council.

In order to raise money, the Parish Council issues a precept, which is added to the Council Tax bills of residents within the Parish. The Parish Council decides the budget for the year and the Council Taxpayer's contribution.