Westhorpe
Parish Council
Parish Council
Parish Council
The Council meets four times a year at 7.30pm at Westhorpe Village Hall.
The 2026 meeting dates are: 13th January / 17th March / 19th May (AGM) / 22nd September
Parish Councils are an essential part of the structure of local democracy and they have a vital role in acting on behalf of the communities they represent. They give their views on behalf of the community, on planning applications as statutory consultees, they help local groups and campaign for better services and facilities. Parish Councils have limited powers to make decisions and many issues which affect rural communities such as speeding and traffic volume, HGV movements, waste collection and recycling and anti-social behaviour are the responsibility of the County Council and District Council.
Westhorpe Parish Council serves, and makes decisions on behalf of, the residents of Westhorpe and aims to keep everyone informed about important issues and ongoing projects. Councillors are members of the community, elected by the community. Elections take place every four years and the next elections will be in 2027.
There are seven councillors who are committed to the community of Westhorpe and they give their time, effort and resources without financial reward.
David Barker (Chair)
Martin Brown
Richard Brown
Steve Caley (Vice Chair)
Steve Christian
Diane Gladders
Robin Lambert
Please contact the Councillors via the Clerk:
Ginny O'Hegarty: clerk@westhorpeparishcouncil.gov.uk
Councillors' Registers of Interests may be viewed at:
Babergh Mid Suffolk District Councils Democratic Services
A casual vacancy occurs if a Councillor leaves their seat during the course of their term. The term of a Councillor may end upon written resignation to the Chair, death of a Councillor, failure to attend meetings for six consecutive months without a reason approved by the Council; or disqualification of a Councillor.
When a Councillor's seat becomes vacant, a Parish Council displays a 'Notice of Vacancy' advertising the fact that there is a vacancy. This is displayed as soon as is practicable on the Parish Council's website and noticeboards. Details of current casual vacancies will be posted further down this page as and when a casual vacancy arises.
The Notice explains that an election can be called by a request made in writing to the Council's Proper Officer by 10 electors from the relevant electoral area within the Parish within 14 working days of the Notice being published. If 10 valid requests are received, the Returning Officer will determine when an election is to be held, which must be within 60 working days of the date of the Notice of Vacancy. If 10 requests are not received, then the Returning Officer will advise the Parish Council that they may advertise to fill the vacancy by co-option.
County Councillor: James Patchett james.patchett@suffolk.gov.uk
District Councillor: Andy Mellen andrew.mellen@midsuffolk.gov.uk
Adrian Ramsey: adrian@waveneyvalley.greenparty.org.uk
