Shipton Bellinger Parish Council is administered by the Parish Clerk. There is a structure for 10 Parish Councillors. The Parish Council meet on the first Wednesday of each Month, except for January and August, in the Village Centre, Fletcher Room at 7.30pm.
The Public are welcome to attend. There is an opportunity at each meeting for them to speak and raise any issues of concern. An Annual General Meeting is held in May each year.
The Parish Council are responsible for financing the day to day running of the village. Money is raised in the form of a Precept; this is applied for each year from Test Valley Borough Council and shown on the Council Tax Bill as the Parish Rate.
The Parish Council employ the Clerk and various contractors. They are Trustees of the Village Centre and Playing Field, making a financial contribution to its running costs. A copy of all Planning Applications in the Parish are sent to the Parish Council for comment, although the ultimate decision on Planning is with the Borough Council.
The Parish Council are responsible for:
Street Lighting in the Village
Parish Council Graveyard
Bus Shelters
Keeping the Footpaths clear in and around the village, acting as agents for Hampshire County Council who have the ultimate responsibility
Dog Waste bins
Cutting the ‘Village Green’, owned by Hampshire County Council
Liaising with Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council on various issues including Road Safety on the A338, Pavements, Road Signs, and the state of the Village Roads
River Matters - The Parish Council works closely with the River Authority and the Environmental Agency. Shipton Bellinger have a Flood Plan that was put together by the River Authority, the Environment Agency and the Parish Council
The Parish Council have in recent years put on a Christmas Event for the Senior Citizens of the village in December.
The Parish Council are represented on many of the Village Organisations and liaise with the Army.