Overview

The duties and functions of a parish council can vary depending on the assets it owns. Holybrook Parish Council currently owns and maintains the following community assets:

Council-Owned Assets

Buildings

• Beansheaf Community Centre
  Location: Linear Park, off Charrington Road
  Includes: The Parish Office and rooms available for hire

• The Garage
  Location: Linear Park, off Charrington Road

Playgrounds

Holybrook Parish Council maintains the equipment, benches and bins at the following locations:

• Underwood Road Playground

• Holymead (Carters Rise)
  Includes a multi-use games area and youth shelter

Bus Shelters

• 5 green metal shelters along Charrington Road and Carters Rise

Parish Noticeboards

Locations:

• Dorking Way

• Linear Park

• Mill Lane (double board)

• Underwood Road

• Holybrook Centre

• Inside each bus shelter (except Rushmoor Gardens due to vandalism)

Public Bins (outside of playgrounds)

• Dorking Way (dual dog and litter bin)

• Charrington Road (dual dog and litter bin)

• Underwood Road near Grantham Close

• Albury Gardens bus stop

Dog Bins

Locations include:

• A4 layby (opposite garage at the end of Latimer)

• Cow Lane

• Underwood Road

• Low Lane (3 bins)

• Carters Rise (between KVS and KVC)

• Mill Lane at Hawkesbury Drive

• Cambrian Way on The Chase

• Carters Rise at Hawkesbury Drive

Salt Bins

Locations:

• Calbourne Drive

• Holybrook Centre

• David Smith Court

Other Assets

• Defibrillator – located at the Beansheaf Centre

• War Memorial Bench – located in Linear Park

• Information Lectern – located at the Twenty Trees Anniversary Orchard, Linear Park

Maintenance and Services

The Parish Council employs contractors to carry out the following services:

• Emptying of rubbish and dog bins

• Grass cutting and foliage trimming in playgrounds

• Cleaning of bus shelters

• Removal of dog waste

• Litter picking

Powers and Functions of a Parish Council

The following is an indicative (not exhaustive) list of powers and functions available to parish councils under various Acts of Parliament:

• Support and encouragement of arts and crafts

• Provision of village halls

• Maintenance of recreation grounds, parks and play areas

• Upkeep of playing fields and swimming baths

• Cleaning of drainage ponds, watercourses and ditches

• Litter control

• Provision and maintenance of public toilets

• Repair and maintenance of footpaths and bridleways

• Provision of cycle and motorcycle parking

• Acquisition and maintenance of rights of way

• Encouragement of tourism

• Maintenance of bus shelters

• Signposting and lighting of footpaths

• Authority to assume functions delegated by other authorities

• Employment of staff for Council duties

• Funding crime prevention measures

• Promotion of environmental awareness and sustainability

Notifications from West Berkshire Council

Holybrook Parish Council must be informed about:

• Planning applications within its area

• Proposed sewerage works

• Surveys of footpaths and bridleways

• Intent to introduce byelaws related to:

  • Hackney carriages

  • Music and dancing

  • Street naming