Council Information

This page gives you details of the levels of government affecting Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe and Acresford from the lowest level, the Parish Council, up to the national (MP) levels. Links to other relevant web pages describe the responsibilities of each council so you can work out who to contact about a particular issue.

Each level of government has officers and workers (civil servants) who are paid to do the work of the council, and elected local representatives (the Councillors and members of parliament) who represent the interests of the people who live in their area. You should contact the council officers/workers for general questions or advice, to put in planning applications etc. If you have a complaint or wish to make your views about council services known, then you should contact your elected representative.

Parish Council

Your parish Councillors are elected every four years, if required. There is no election if the number of nominees does not exceed the number of Councillors required. The Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe & Acresford Parish Council consists of eight (8) Councillors elected to the unpaid voluntary position and give their time freely to our three (3) communities.

The Manager/Clerk/RFO of the Parish Council is not elected. This position is equivalent of an officer in local government and is a paid, part-time position. The proper officer prepares agendas and takes minutes of meetings, undertakes administrative and clerical duties on behalf of the Councillors, and is trained to provide advice and guidance on certain issues such as legal requirements and responsibilities of the Parish Council.

District Council

Your district council is North West Leicestershire and your representative on the Council is District Councillor Mr Mike Ball.

The district council is responsible for most planning applications, rubbish and recycling collections, council-owned housing, collecting council tax, and many other local services. Their web site is www.nwleics.gov.uk

County Council

Your county council is Leicestershire and your representative on the county council is County Councillor Mr Robert Ashman.

The county council's responsibilities include schools, libraries, public transport (except rail and other long distance travel), roads and social care services (nursing homes, home care etc). Their web site is www.leics.gov.uk

Member of Parliament

Your Parliamentary Constituency is Hinckley and Bosworth, your Member of Parliament is Dr Luke Evans, first elected in May 2019. Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe & Acresford moved to the constituency in 2023. You can track Luke's appearances in the House on TheyWorkForYou.com. He made his maiden speech on 13th February 2020

 

What do ODA PC do?
The main activities of Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe & Acresford Parish Council include:

Setting the annual precept (local rate) to cover the Council's running costs including expenditure on staff, administration, buildings, public lighting, amenity areas, grants and capital projects. Annual production of accounts for public accountability.

Liaison with the local police and Neighbourhood Watch on crime, security and traffic issues.

Scrutiny and comment on planning applications within the parish, submitted to the local planning authority.

Initiation of capital projects to improve the environment, appearance and amenities within the village such as planters, play equipment, lighting/floodlighting, conservation and restoration work.

Maintenance, repairs and improvements to parish facilities including recreational areas, public spaces and buildings.

Liaison with other local authorities on the maintenance, repair and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, cycleways, public transport, street cleaning, conservation matters including trees and listed buildings, and environmental issues such as waste recycling.

Support of local arts, sports, youth groups and societies, including grants where appropriate.

Investigation and resolution of local problems and complaints
received from the community.

NWLDC Electoral Services
The Electoral Services team is responsible for compiling the Register of Electors each year - and for organising all elections taking place in the district - including Leicestershire County Council, Police & Crime Commissioner, Parliamentary and European Elections.

Their main duties are:

  • To make sure all eligible electors are correctly registered in order to use their right to vote it they wish
  • The registration of overseas electors, service personnel and European Union citizens
  • The processing of postal and proxy voting applications
  • Providing polling stations, election staff and all polling stationery and equipment
  • To provide candidates and their agents with all the necessary literature in respect of elections in which they are to stand.
  • To advertise and promote electoral registration and elections and answer any related queries
Electoral Services is committed to providing access to polling for all members of the community.