Parish Council meetings are open to the public to attend.

Agendas of meetings are put on the notice boards at the Aveline Court bus stop, on Burge Crescent and in the Co-op carpark at least 3 working days before the meeting and are also published on the Parish Council’s website.

Voting at meetings is by a show of hands, so can be seen by everyone present. Following each meeting the minutes are made available for anyone to read on the website and hard copies can be posted on request and after receipt of payment. Supporting materials will be attached to the minutes and/or added to the relevant area of the website (e.g. finance, policy etc.).

Town Council decisions must be made by Councillors in a formal meeting, which has been properly convened and publicised.

An individual Councillor cannot make a decision or tell the Clerk or Councillors what to do. The Parish Clerk is an employee of the Parish Council and has overall responsibility for the day-to day running of the Council and can make some decisions if they are in accordance with agreed policy and within budget.

Planning applications can be viewed through Somerset Council’s planning portal.

Search for an application here: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land/view-and-comment-on-a-planning-application/

You can check up to date waste collection dates here www.somersetwaste.gov.uk

Please visit Somerset Council website for more information: www.somerset.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste/report-a-missed-household-collection

Parish Councillors do not get paid or receive any allowances towards their Parish Council duties.  ​

Cotford St Luke Parish Council oversees a range of services and activities to help maintain and enhance the village environment. Some of these services are delivered by Somerset Council, while others are carried out by contractors appointed and funded by the Parish Council. These include:

• Grass and Hedge Maintenance – The Parish Council works with local contractors to ensure that grassed areas, hedges, and trees are maintained regularly, with schedules tailored to seasonal needs.

• Bin Emptying – In coordination with Somerset Council, the Parish Council agrees on a collection schedule and covers the costs of this essential service.

• Repairs and Maintenance – The Council is responsible for the upkeep of village assets such as fences, signage, and other public infrastructure.

• Weed Control – Routine weed management is carried out to keep public spaces tidy and safe.

• Planning Application Responses – The Parish Council reviews and provides comments on planning applications within Cotford St Luke to represent the interests of the local community.

• Ditch and Culvert Management – The Council liaises with landowners to ensure proper maintenance of ditches and culverts to prevent flooding and ensure effective drainage.

• Community Grants – Financial support is available for local clubs and groups through the Parish Council’s grant scheme.

The precept is the amount of money that the Parish Council requires from council tax to meet its annual budget. Local councils do not receive any direct funding from central government, therefore are reliant on the local precept and any other income they generate from the services or facilities that they provide.

The Parish Council is required (in law) to agree a budget before it can set its precept. When calculating the precept, the Council takes into consideration the current year’s spend and the services it provides e.g. asset maintenance, grants, events, provision for reserves and income. The budget is discussed at various stages before it is set at Council meetings which are open to the public.

Once the budget and precept have been approved for the following financial year, the Town Council informs Somerset Council which collects the precept on our behalf. The Cotford St Luke Parish Council precept is included in your council tax. Further details about the Parish Council’s budget and precept are available in the ‘Finance’ section of this website.

Council tax is paid to Somerset Council and can be paid by direct debit, over the phone, or online.

For more information visit their website: www.somerset.gov.uk, or telephone 01935 462462.

• Play equipment – enclosed children’s play areas (Burge Crescent, the Village Green and Graham Way) and play equipment in the main park (excluding outdoor exercise equipment). You can contact them with queries or report an issue here: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/community-leisure-and-tourism/play-equipment/
• Roads: www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/report-a-problem-on-the-road
• Some trees in/around the village
  • Somerset Council’s most recent tree report
  • maps of Somerset Council-owned trees
• Potholes, road damage and edge loss
• Flooding on the road
• Drains and gullies
• Hazard on the road
• Mud on the road
• Pavements and cycle paths
• Report a problem with a street light
• Snow and ice on the road
• Traffic light fault
• Harmful or poisonous weeds
• Bridges and retaining walls
• Vehicle parked on a grass verge
• Unauthorised use of a roadside verge
• Overgrown verge or hedge
• Abandoned vehicles
• Flyposting and graffiti
• Report a problem with a tree by the road
• Road signs and bollards
• Road markings

Please Visit: www.somerset.gov.uk/environment-and-food-safety/dog-warden-service