WEM RURAL PARISH COUNCIL

About

Wem Rural Parish is divided into 3 wards: Newtown Ward with 291 electors and 2 councillors, Edstaston Ward with 538 electors and 5 councillors and Wem Ward with 519 electors and 5 councillors, a total electorate of 1348 (electoral figures taken from the 2016 electoral roll).Parish Councils are the part of local government closest to the people. It is not a voluntary organisation, a charity or something to do with the church. They serve the smallest area and are responsible for the most local matters. Very importantly, Parish Councils can “precept” – raise a sum collected with the council tax each year to improve facilities and service for local people.Parish Councils were first created under the Local Government Act 1894 and they are still being created. As Parish Councils were created in law, they can only act within the law by exercising those powers and functions, which have been conferred on them by Statute (ie Acts of Parliament).