Burton Joyce Online

An aspiration for BJ Parish Council[/b][/i]

Rural Community Action ( Nottiinghamshire) news

Misterton Parish Council ( North Notts) has again be judged the top Parish Council in England. The Council earned third place in the NALC/Aon Council of the Year awards - but the first and second places were claimed by town councils

Whilst a local council must be able to demonstrate continuing high standards of governance as a basic requirement, each year’s placing in the competition depends on that year’s discrete performance- so a high level of achievement must be demonstrated for the year in question.

Misterton is the top parish council two years running out of 8500 possible entrants. It shows that the Parish Council has made a real effort to consult with resident, to keep them informed and to be responsible stewards of parish resources

To see at first hand just how good this quality Nottinghamshire Parish Council is, you really must visit their website -

In fact everyone of our own Parish Councillors could learn many lessons in “open and transparent” governance, website design, content and presentation


Misterton Parish Council website


VISIT www.misterton-notts-pc.gov.uk/ and see how the TOP PARISH COUNCIL in England operates with OPEN and TRANSPARENT governance - just what we need in a parish council website - Note! absence of propaganda

Our own Parish Council Office is tucked away in the nether reached of the cemetary - we suggest this could also be within the "Focal Point One Stop" village centre suggestion - a "tad radical" but it would certainly be more accessible for the entire community .



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The Home Page editorial hits the nail on the head

PARISH COUNCILLORS represent and are answerable to the electorate. Individual councillors should inform and communicate with an open, transparency, together with the integrity and due consideration required of an all inclusive community

It is the community who should be directing the Parish Council, not vice versa. The parish councillors are elected ( or co-opted) to serve the total community, and to provide services equitably - not to dictate and give preference and services to their favourite cause.

I can already hear gasps of astonisment for the elected few.. yet we do not need to quote examples

Happy New Year everyone!

This year appears to have made a quiet entrance - However there is an interesting posting in todays Hot Gossip which deserves a "look see "- much too long to preview here, but very significant in subject matter to this particular thread

Well ! well ! well ! Well done BJO its a pity BJO have to resort to the introduction of a Parish Council WATCH to get sensible details and substance out of the establishment and into the community. It is about time we had details of uptodate activities and decisions - the absence and delays with Agendas and Minutes from the PC only leads to doubts, suspicion and concern as to the behind the scenes happenings .

Is it that the Wind Turbines are now the particular flavour of the month ?? and other time has to compensate

I note from the BJPC December minutes that the public were excluded from the discussion of the budget item.
This is a very important item for all Burton Joyce residents as the outcome determines the parish council rates we pay next year.
Not only was the discussion held in secrecy but no proper summary of the outcome was provided.
Why are so many important issues held in secret by BJPC and not explained in the minutes?

We can see and read BJPC meeting Agenda, yet more frequently of late are NOT allowed to hear or witness "classified" community detail - far too many of late . . .

It is NOT just that the BJPC budget discussions which the public are allowed and expected to attend that now appear to have budget subjects which now are regularly excluded to the public.

It should also be noted that the Council's "Habitual & Vexacious Complaints policy" is also beginning to get its own regular "in camera" spot within Council meetings - So much for "Open and Transparency " governance.

What are the complaints and from whom are the matters which the BJPC want to hide and gag?

Why and what are the reasons as to why this type of censorship and restrictive policy needed to be introduced in this particular financial year, by the present group of councillors?

The Parish Councillors meet the Community in BJ Library .

I see that the last Saturday of the month is for the Parish Councillors to meet the villagers. to discuss points of community interest and concern.

Evidently the first such meeting took place in January at the BJ Library.

Although the PC Website was updated on the 11th of Feb there is no mention as to the result of the first "Meet the Councillors".

Such a pity !! Or was it to be expected ?

I hope some good can come from these meetings as it appears it to be a much better way for us individuals to express "face to face" our feelings and views, which can thus be registered with those who provide the first tier of local government.

However there is an alternative for the BJPCouncillors -

Why dont they regularly visit and participate in this Forum ?