Knapwell - The Parish Meeting

Knapwell is not big enough for its own Council so its Parish business is managed by The Parish Meeting. This takes place now twice a year. Its two officers, Chairman and Vice Chairman, are elected in the May meeting. All on the electoral roll are invited to attend and those who do are fully entitled to speak and to vote.	Freedom of Information On 20^th November 2002 the Meeting acknowledged the duty placed upon it by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to adopt and maintain a publication scheme. The meeting agreed to adopt the Model Scheme for Parish Meetings (Core Classes Only). Under the scheme parishioners may request a copy of: the minutes of Meetings held in the last two years the Meeting’s response to planning applications the latest Annual Return of the Accounts the latest annual report by Auditor Make your request to the clerk enclosing a stamped addressed envelope. Address on the Village noticeboard.
	Agendas are posted two weeks before the Meeting and also delivered to each house. The Meetings take place in the church usually on the third Wednesdays of May and November at 7.30pm. The next meeting is 20th May 2009.
Officers Chairman: Mr Joop Tanis Vice-Chairman: Mr Ian Keeler Clerk: Ms Sarah Johnson
Photo: David Farnell	Planning: There is a planning sub-committee, which consists of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and one other member (currently Mrs Jane Greatorex), to respond to applications more speedily than the half-yearly Meeting would allow.
	Grass-cutting: The District Council pays for the cutting of certain verges and others are maintained by volunteers in the village working a roster prepared by Patrick Stephens. Our good neighbours, the RSPB, maintain the village hedgerows that adjoin their land.
	The Budget: The Parish currently receives £1800 from the council tax precept and a grass-cutting allowance together with varied other small sums. These amounts cover the Meeting's spending requirements with a little bit to spare for unexpected costs.