Parish Council Information
Parish Council meetings are at 7:15pm on the fourth Monday of the month. The dates may vary depending on other events e.g. bank holidays, but can be checked by looking at the meetings listed on the left of this page. The meetings’ times and locations can also be found on the Events page. The date and agenda for each meeting are also displayed on the notice boards at:
- Bressingham Village Hall
- Church Meadow, Fersfield
- Common Road, Bressingham
Agendas and Minutes for this year’s previous and upcoming meetings can be found in here or through the menu in Parish Council>>Documents>>Agenda Minutes.
Latest Parish Council Documents
- District Councillor Report October 2025 File extension: pdf File size: 38 kB
- County Councillor Report 24th October 2025 File extension: pdf File size: 85 kB
- Agenda Minutes 22nd September 2025 File extension: pdf File size: 262 kB
- Agenda 27th October 2025 File extension: pdf File size: 137 kB
Parish Council Insights
Town and Parish Councils
Broadland has 48 parish councils, 3 town councils and 12 parish meetings. Town and parish councils are separate and independent of Broadland District Council.
South Norfolk has 100 town and parish councils and 13 parish meetings. Town and parish councils are separate and independent of South Norfolk Council.
Town and parish councils:
- represent their local community
- deliver services to meet local needs and improve the quality of life for their community
- are funded by levying a parish ‘precept’ which is included in the Council Tax collected by Broadland District Council or South Norfolk Council
- have unpaid councillors who are elected to serve for four years
To find out more about the role of town and parish councils, see the GOV.UKwebsite.
Freedom of Information
Under the Freedom of Information Act the following information is available to you. It can be found on this website, on the noticeboards or as hard copy (20p per page) on application to the Parish Clerk.
| Finance Annual return: | Website/Noticeboard/Hard copy |
| Members allowances & expenses: | Hard copy |
| Meetings Agenda: | Website/Noticeboard/Hard copy |
| Precept: | Hard copy |
| Budget: | Hard copy |
| Minutes: | Website/Noticeboard/Hard copy |
| Responses to planning applications: | Hard copy |
| Responses to consultation papers: | Hard |
| Services Allotments: | Contact Parish Clerk |
Road Maintenance
| Who is responsible for road maintenance in Norfolk? |
| As the Highway Authority, Norfolk County Council is responsible for the reasonable maintenance of 10,000km of highways across the county.They are obliged to:Inspect the roads and carry out necessary maintenanceRespond to reports of damage and make the area safeThey are not responsible for keeping the road free from mud debris or water |
| If you feel you have a claim against the Highways Department see their information sheet. |
Elections
Parish Council elections take place every 4 years..
Here’s you chance to get involved, join a friendly crew and make your mark!
Bressingham and Fersfield Parish Council has a complement of 9 Parish Councillors.
The Parish Council tries to keep a balance of members from both villages.
Contested Elections
If more than 9 members of our community stand for the 9 Parish Councillor places, a poll must take place. No-one I have spoken to can remember this happening in our community, let us know if you do. 2015 could be the year!
Uncontested Elections
If 9 members of the community or less stand for the nine Parish Councillor places they are elected unopposed and there is no poll.
If fewer than nine members stand, the Parish Council is required to appoint the remainder.
Casual Vacancies
Parish Councillor vacancies that come up during the 4 year term are filled by appointment unless 10 residents request an election
“Parish Council Elections. A Guide to Election Procedures.” South Norfolk Council 2007
Becoming a Councillor
Who can be a Parish Councillor?
- A British, Commonwealth, or European Union citizen
- Over 18 years old
- An elector in the Parish for at least a year, or
- Lived within three miles of the Parish boundary for at least a year, or
- Worked mainly in the parish for at least a year
Who can’t be a Parish Councillor?
- Anyone with a bankruptcy restriction or interim order
- Anyone working for that Parish Council
- Anyone convicted of an offence with a prison sentence of more than 3 months
Planning
The Parish Council is invited to comment on planning applications as non-statutory consultees; law does not require Parish Council input.
South Norfolk Council Planning Department makes the final decision.
Planning applications include:
- changes in the use of buildings and roads
- changes to the structure of buildings and roads
- erection of new buildings and roads
CURRENT APPLICATIONS – click here for South Norfolk Planning Portal