Who we are & what we do

Huncote Parish Council is the parish authority for the village of Huncote. It is the third tier of local government, after the county council and the district council. Its legal powers are granted to it and regulated by various government acts.

As of 2023, the village population is of approximately 2,200, with 1,595 eligible voters, from just under 900 houses. The Parish Council supplements the provision of local government services in Huncote, and provides a range of social and recreational facilities, while promoting and representing the village with other national and statutory bodies.

For example the Parish Council acts as a consultee and lobbying force with both the county and district councils, and both regional and national government, putting forward the wishes and needs of the local community. Leicestershire County Council, which covers the whole of the county, (whose main responsibilities include education, social services, highways, fire and rescue, strategic planning and libraries), consult with the Parish Council on such subjects as the County Structure Plan and the Local Transport Plan. Blaby District Council (which is mainly responsible for development control, environmental health, refuse collection, economic development, tourism and major recreational facilities) also consults with the Parish Council on such matters as the District Wide Local Plan, planning applications within Huncote, and the economic development strategy.

Huncote Parish Council can have a total of 8 Parish Councillors including the Chairman. The 'Term' of a Parish Councillor is 4 years with the commencement of the current 'Term' being effective from 9th May 2023 – 10th May 2027. All Councillors are voluntary.

The Parish Office address is Huncote Parish Council, c/o 3 Mountfield Road, Earl Shilton, Leicestershire LE9 7LW.

Council Meetings - see the diary of meetings for more information.

For further information relating to the services offered by the Parish Council please contact the Parish Office who will be happy to give advice and assistance.

Huncote is a civil parish in the Blaby district of south-west Leicestershire.

Huncote is located between Croft, Narborough, Stoney Stanton, and Thurlaston villages. It is near the B4114, and the M69 passes through the middle of the parish, just north of the built-up village.

Croft Hill, Croft Quarry and Huncote Quarry are on the edge of the parish boundary.

For more about the village and its history see our pages About Huncote.

Parish and town councils in England and community and town councils in Wales are Local Councils and the first tier of local government. They deliver a vast range of services at a community level.

There are around 10,000 community, parish and town councils in England and Wales, made up of nearly 100,000 councillors. These first-tier councils can respond to the needs of the community – delivering the services or representation it most needs.

At present in Leicestershire, but not in all locations in England and Wales, there is a three-tiered structure of local government.

Parish and town councils have a large range of powers, and the activities parish and town councils are involved in are immense. Many parish and town councils are involved in planning, promoting tourism, licensing, community halls, representation, management of town and village centres and providing community halls.

Parish councils are statutory bodies. Members are elected for a term of four years and councils are funded principally by an annual precept.

Income and expenditure for the next financial year are calculated in the form of estimates. The net amount (the precept) is added to council tax, collected by the county, borough or district council (principal authorities) and paid to parishes in two six-monthly instalments. Parish and town councils can apply for other funding such as grant and funding awards, but they do not receive funds direct from central government, as principal authorities do.

Parish Councillors are elected for a term of four years, and then all Councillors must be re-elected.

In the case of either not enough candidates standing for election, all candidates will be elected uncontested. Should any vacancies still exist, or a vacancy be created by a Councillor standing down, the Parish Council can co-opt someone of their choosing into the vacant seat. All Councillors will then be re-elected at the same time, for the next election.

For any contested election, the local polling station is at the Community Centre on Denman Lane.

At the last election on Thursday 4th May 2023, six Councillors were re-elected, leaving two vacancies, which could be filled by co-option. For a list of current Councillors, please see our 'Councillors' page.

The next parish council election is scheduled for Thursday 6th May 2027.

Our councillors are elected or co-opted. If you would like to become a councillor or find out more about what they do then please contact the Parish Office.

As a rural parish with a small population, we have one part-time Clerk and two members of ground staff, who work to deliver the range of services we provide.

The Parish Clerk can be contacted by phone or email.

MISSION STATEMENT

• To maintain and further enhance Huncote village as a place for Huncote's parishioners to live and work, by representing and promoting the interests and well-being of the Parish and its parishioners.

AIMS

• To enhance the community of Huncote by making it a more attractive, desirable and welcoming environment.
• To facilitate the provision of rights of way, parks and open spaces that are clean, tidy and free from litter, graffiti and vandalism.
• To help create a safer place to live, work and visit by assisting in the reduction of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.
• To maintain effective communication with the people of Huncote.
• To raise the profile of the Parish Council so that it communicates well with all groups in the Parish and contributes to and leads in uniting the Parish.
• To give good value for the money with which we are entrusted.
• To manage the Parish Council's assets and finances effectively and efficiently to achieve best value
• To manage cost-effective amenities of a high standard in order to meet the needs and wishes of the community.
• To seek the provision of adequate leisure and recreational opportunities that meet local requirements.
• To create and preserve open spaces for the enjoyment of all.
• To promote equal opportunities for all in Huncote.
• To promote the provision of adequate health care and transport services that meet the requirements of and are accessible to all Huncote residents.
• To evolve and continually make necessary changes.
• To help create a socially inclusive and caring community which embraces all residents, irrespective of age, gender, culture, income, race or religion and will seek to develop mutual cooperation.
• To provide a democratic representational voice for the Parish and to give residents the opportunity to influence their future.