Downley Parish Council
Facilities
Downley Parish Council owns or rents the following facilities in Downley for the benefit of the parish:
- Allotments (rented from West Wycombe Estate)
- Downley Comunity Centre
- Jubilee Green (opposite the Downley Donkey)
- Gosling Grove open space + pond
- Mannings Field playing fields (rented from West Wycombe Estate)
Activities
The Parish Council employs a clerk who provides administrative support for the council's activities. In addition, a part-time handyman is employed to perform minor maintenance works around the parish.
The 2 main contracts that the Council routinely pay for are:
- street and footway lighting (157 columns annual cost £13,000)
- Grass cutting and grounds maintenance for Gosling Grove, Commonside and Mannings Field (including allotments and football pitches annual cost £12,000)
The Council makes is consulted by and makes representations to public bodies on subjects such as:
- Transport
- Rights of way
- Planning
Committees
Much of the Council's work is done through committees that consider specific issues to report back to the main Council meeting.
- Lighting. 3 councillors address lighting issues such as sites for new columns
- Sports & Recreation
- Allotments Committee. 3 co–opted members from the allotment holders liaise with the Clerk
- 2 members plus one co-opted member to liase with the Clerk concerning the use of Mannings Field for sports activities
- Planning and Amenities Committee. All councillors are on this committee which meets at the discretion of the Chairman and the Clerk.
- Community Assets Committee. 5 councillors are on this committee which meets several times a year to ensure that the Council's assets are closely monitored.
- Downley Common Preservation Society Liaison Committee. 2 members maintain regular links with the DCPS
- Planning Applications Advice Group. 3 members examine all planning applications received from W.D.C. and report to the main Council meeting each month with their comments.
Powers
The Parish Council does not have any legal powers, although this situation might change with the advent of the forthcoming Localism Bill. The parish council can consult, advise, report and lobby on any issues it feels affect electors, residents and organisations within the community.
Downley Parish Council is regularly consulted and advised on planning applications, local schools, housing development, transportation, rights of way and highways, sports, young people.