New national survey to help build a stronger picture of parish and town councils
We are encouraging parish and town councils to take part in a new national survey that will help create a comprehensive picture of the sector and the vital services it delivers to communities.
The survey will gather information on the wide range of services provided by parish and town councils, including community facilities, allotments, grant schemes and devolved services. It also asks about staffing, council budgets, councillor numbers and other key information that will help build a clearer understanding of the size and scope of the sector.
Despite the important role parish and town councils play in communities, there is currently limited national data about the services they provide. While other tiers of local government have developed robust datasets over many years, there remains a significant evidence gap for the parish and town council sector.
By taking part, parish and town councils will help create a more accurate picture of the sector. The findings will enable organisations working to support parish and town councils to understand better the challenges and opportunities facing councils, inform future improvement programmes and ensure decisions are based on evidence rather than assumptions.
The survey has been designed to recognise the diversity of parish and town councils, including councils of all sizes. The survey is expected to take around 15 minutes to complete and is best completed by the clerk. However, the council chair or any council staff member can complete it. Parish and town councils are encouraged to complete the survey by the end of August so they can be included in the initial analysis
The survey has been developed by the Improvement and Development Board's Data Task Force. Parish Online will host the survey and collect responses on behalf of the Improvement and Development Board.
Every response will help build a stronger understanding of the sector and support its future development.
