The Clerk of the Parish Council is David Taylor.

David's contact details are:

57, Whitcliffe Lane, Ripon, HG42LB

The office telephone is 01765 601693.

This is a part time role and so the office is not manned on a full time basis. If you telephone, please leave a message.

You can also contact David via the "Contact" page on this website.

So what is a Clerk?

The role of Clerk is to ensure that the Council as a whole conducts its business properly and to provide independent, objective and professional advice and support.

Parish Councils are part of local government in North Yorkshire together with North Yorkshire County Council and the District/ Borough councils.

The County Council is responsible for strategic services such as highways, education, libraries social services, strategic planning and refuse disposal.

District councils are responsible for local services including housing, local planning and refuse collection.

The Parish and Town councils in the county are often viewed as the part of government closest to the people. They are the only local government tier that represents residents at civil parish level. (not to be confused with Church parishes)

Importantly Parish Councils can "precept" - raising a council tax each year to improve facilities and services for local people.

Their powers and duties cover many things that we take for granted in making for comfort and well being where we live. These include the provision and maintenance of allotments, burial grounds and public monuments, public clocks, halls, some street lighting, litter bins, car parks, public lavatories, rights of way, roadside verges, bus shelters, swimming pools and village greens.

Parish Councils also comment on planning applications and can be represented at public inquiries.

Similarly they advise the County and District authorities on the views of residents, and especially priorities for local investment.

All Parish Council meetings are open to the public. They are led by the Council's Chairman and advised by a Clerk who is there to see that business is conducted within the law.