What we do
Dunton Green Parish Council is one of three tiers of local government. We work with Sevenoaks District Council and Kent County Council to provide a wide range of services for residents.
The Parish Council has direct responsibility for:
- Dunton Green Recreation Ground which includes: football pitch, children’s play areas, outside gym equipment, tennis court, multi use games area (MUGA), car park
- Dunton Green Pavilion
- Price’s Wood
- Longford Meadow
- Longford Spinney (in Mill Road)
- The Crescent (Station Road)
- Dunto Green War Memorial
- Maintenance of the Memorial Rose Garden
- Village Green (except the large lime trees)
- Various other open spaces in the parish
- Hanging baskets / planters in the village
- Part of the allotment site at the rear of Dunton Green Social Club
- Street lighting columns on some roads within the parish
Town and Parish Councils
Town and Parish Councils are an essential part of local democracy and have a vital role in acting on behalf of the communities they represent. They:
- Give views, on behalf of the community, on planning applications and other proposals that affect the parish.
- Undertake projects and schemes that benefit local residents.
- Work in partnership with other bodies to achieve benefits for the parish.
- Alert relevant authorities to problems that arise or work that needs to be undertaken.
- Help the other tiers of local government keep in touch with their local communities.
Town and Parish Councils have a wide range of legal duties and powers, such as the maintenance of community buildings and land and much more. They have the power to raise money through a ‘precept’ which is collected with the local council tax.
The parish council must follow its standing orders which are the written rules of a local council.
Unlike the District and County Councils, the Parish Council receives no direct government grant. It raises its income through the parish precept element of the Council Tax and the charges it makes for its services.
County and District Councils
Kent County Council handles:
- education
- social services
- highways and footpaths
- libraries
- trading standards.
Further information is available on the County Council’s website www.kent.gov.uk.
Sevenoaks District Council handles:
- council tax
- planning
- waste services
- housing
- environmental health
- benefits.
Further information is available on the District Council’s website www.sevenoaks.gov.uk.
Role of Parish Councillors
Eleven Parish Councillors represent Dunton Green. All 11 seats on the Parish Council are elected every four years, the next election is due to take place in May 2027.
A Parish Councillor’s role is varied and includes:
- Representing residents and bringing their views to the Council’s decision-making process. This related to Parish Council services and general issues affecting the village.
- Participating in the governance, policy setting and strategic management of the Council.
- Responding to residents’ enquiries and representations.
- Representing the Council on other bodies.
Dunton Green Parish Councillors are not paid for their work as Members of the Parish Council. All Parish Councillors must comply with the Code of Conduct.
Planning
Sevenoaks District Council is the Planning Authority for Dunton Green. All applications can be viewed on the SDC Public Access Facility.
Dunton Green Parish Council acts as a statutory Consultee on all planning proposals submitted within the parish. Applications are considered at the monthly Full Council meeting and occasionally at Planning and Development Committee. Members of the public are welcome to attend our meetings. Agendas are displayed on the Council’s noticeboards and website at least three clear days before the meeting. Council meetings are held in the Main Hall at Dunton Green Pavilion Recreation Ground, London Road, Dunton Green. Full Council Meetings usually start at 7:30pm. Committee meeting start times may vary so please check the agenda for details.