Council Spotlight: Danbury Parish Council

Danbury Parish Council has 13 elected councillors with an estimated population of 6,000 residents and a precept of £205,252. The council is also accredited with The Quality Gold under the National Association of Local Councils’ (NALC) Local Council Award Scheme.

The council provides a range of local facilities and services to residents which include a village hall, library, allotments, sports and social centre, public open spaces and seasonal events. 

The council holds activities throughout the school holidays known as Wild Wednesdays. Every Wednesday residents can join a team for den building, mud kitchen, tree climbing and nature crafts at Danbury Country Park. This initiative is a brilliant way to engage with younger residents and make use of the parks rural character.

The council is also trailing a Councillor Surgery for local residents. This is where residents can drop in and meet the councillors to discuss local issues and concerns face-to-face.

One of the council's operations is the Danbury Neighbourhood Plan, which has been created by local residents, community groups and businesses to help shape how the parish should develop in the coming years. The neighbourhood plan is an opportunity for local people to have a say in what to protect and where to build in their parish over the long term. The neighbourhood plan will give much greater security to the wishes of the village and will set policies on local development and use of land in the parish. This will include the sites, conditions and restrictions on the number of types of houses which may be built. Having the council in close contact with local residents and embracing their contributions for future development shows that the council is widely supported and listening to its community.

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