Chairman and Councillors

Chairman - John Gale

Vice Chairman - Sylvia Pettitt

Councillor - Geoffrey Ingham

Councillor -  Helen Dudley

Councillor - Guy Holland-Bosworth

Councillor - Edward Page-Turner

Parish Clerk - Joanne Kirk

07880 686069 (Monday - Wednesday office hours only)

Email: ousdenparishcouncil@yahoo.co.uk

Register of Interest forms can be viewed on the West Suffolk Council website.

How often do elections take place?

Councillors are elected for a period of four years. The next election will take place in May 2027.

How often does the Parish Council meet?

The Council holds four meetings a year in March, May, September and December. Meeting usually take place on the second Tuesday of the month. Additional planning meetings may be held if planning applications come in between meetings.

There is also an Annual Parish Meeting which usually takes place in May. This is an open meeting for all electors of Ousden and an opportunity to ask questions relating to village affairs.

What does the Parish Council actually do?

The Parish Council is responsible for setting the precept. This is money that the Council receives to cover the cost of the services it provides and any staff costs. The precept is one element of the Council Tax householders pay. The Councils employs a clerk to oversee its day to day affairs.

The Council is responsible for the following property in the village:

  • The bus shelter
  • The village sign
  • The circular oak seat on the playing field
  • The village notice boards

It is also the responsibility of the Council to make sure that Pound Green and other public areas are maintained. The Council employs a local contractor to cut the grass on Pound Green and around the edge of the village hall and to cut the hedge around St Barnabas.

It supports the Village Hall Management Committee with day-to-day running costs and by insuring the playground.

The Council also insures the Lychgate which is a war memorial to soldiers who died during the Great War.

The Council acts as a link with other local government organisations like West Suffolk Councill and Suffolk County Council. Any problems in the village such as blocked drains, potholes, broken stiles on footpaths or faulty street lights are reported by the clerk.