Saltford Parish Council exists to represent the interests of the village, manage its own community assets and responsibilities, and work with residents and partner organisations to help make Saltford a better place to live.
Saltford Parish Council (SPC) is the most local level of government and is independent of Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Council. SPC is made up of elected Parish Councillors (unpaid) who live in the village, supported by a part-time member of staff. The Parish Council works on behalf of the community and is funded primarily through the parish precept. For more information, see our ‘Finances‘ page.
A common misunderstanding is that the Parish Council is responsible for services such as roads and pavements, traffic management, parking enforcement, planning decisions, licensing and waste collection. In fact, these services are the responsibility of B&NES Council or other statutory authorities.
While Saltford Parish Council may raise local concerns, provide local knowledge and represent residents’ views, it does not have the legal powers to make decisions or take direct action in these areas. Residents should therefore contact the relevant authority directly regarding such matters, including reporting faults or concerns. SPC’s ‘Report It‘ page provides guidance on who to contact and how to report issues.
The Parish Council therefore has two main roles:
🔹 Managing the services, assets and responsibilities within its legal remit.
🔹 Representing Saltford’s interests and engaging with B&NES Council, public bodies and local organisations on issues affecting the village.
Please see our (Sept 2025) article, ‘Information about Saltford Parish Council – who we are and what we do’ to understand more about the Parish Council.
The information below explains what Saltford Parish Council is responsible for and where responsibility lies with other organisations.
Meetings held in public
SPC’s agendas include a ‘Public Time’ item for all of its meetings held in public. Members of the public are welcome to attend and speak during ‘Public Time’ on any matter that is listed ‘to resolve’ on the agenda, and to stay to listen to the Council’s discussions and resolutions following (apart from confidential items considered in ‘closed’ sessions). To address the Council at a SPC meeting on an item to be ‘resolved’ please view SPC’s Public Engagement Guidelines on its ‘Meetings – Agendas and Minutes‘ page. For any other matter you would like to raise to the attention of Saltford Parish Council, please contact SPC using details on our ‘Contact Us’ page.
Please note that though Parish Council meetings are held in public, they are not ‘Public Meetings’. The Parish Council has hosted ‘Public Meetings’ on specific issues in the past. SPC members have also attended Public Meetings as hosted by B&NES Ward Councillors.
The Planning Process
The Parish Council has a role in the planning process. All planning applications are passed to the Parish Council for its viewpoint although final decision-making rests with B&NES Council, the planning authority. SPC generally responds to all planning consultations received. For more information see the Planning section of this website which has useful links to further information on our website.
For more information about SPC’s role in the Planning process and why Parish Councils are consulted, please view our ‘What powers does Saltford Parish Council have with respect to planning applications?‘ page.
Community Engagement
The Parish Council seeks to promote community engagement. SPC regularly posts on social media and updates its ‘News’ page, to share information with residents. This can be SPC’s own news, as well as information that may be of interest to residents.
SPC has ‘Link Members’ who attend meetings and events held by key groups or organisations in the village, with information provided to the Council under the ‘Link Member’ item on each agenda. To view more about ‘Link Members’ please visit our ‘Councillors‘ page and the section below titled ‘Links with other organisations’.
Saltford Parish Council aims to engage with residents by keeping them up to date with council decisions, please view our ‘Meetings – Agendas and Minutes‘ page and noticeboard. SPC also sends out press releases, and has a page in each edition of SCAN.
Financial Assistance Grants
The Parish Council sets aside a small amount of money each year for financial assistance grants that local groups can apply for to support an initiative or development that would benefit the residents of Saltford. For more information see Grants.
St Mary’s Churchyard
The churchyard at St Mary’s in Saltford is owned by the church, however Saltford Parish Council has responsibility for the safety management of St Mary’s churchyard because it is categorised as a “closed” churchyard.
Saltford Parish Council contracts a grounds maintenance company to maintain the churchyard site. SPC is also responsible for the safety management of safety on site such as the trees, walls and paths. The Council regularly commissions works to maintain these areas of the churchyard.
SPC is not responsible for individual graves and memorials, as these are privately owned and therefore the responsibility of their owners. It does annually checks memorials in the churchyard for safety and stability.
Saltford Parish Council carries out biannual inspections of the churchyard grounds – usually every March and October – and a report making recommendations for actions are discussed at the following meeting. Plans and outcomes regarding inspections are recorded in SPC’s agendas and minutes. In addition to biannual inspections, Councillors and staff visit the site regularly, and four Councillors are members of the ‘Churchyard Safety, Churchyard and Allotments Maintenance Working Group’.
Further to above, for more information about the Parish Council’s role in safety management at St Mary’s Churchyard, please contact Saltford Parish Council directly.
Allotment Site
Saltford Parish Council has oversight of the Wick House Close allotment site. This small site, owned by Curo and managed by the Parish Council, has plots (both ‘half’ and ‘full’) available to Saltford residents only. Rents are currently £25 per year for a full plot and £15 per year for a half plot, and rents are reviewed by the Council annually. This location map shows where the Wick House Allotments are situated.
If considering becoming a tenant, please note that there is no running water available at the Wick House Close allotment site. Tenants must bring water to the site, or collect water using standard sized water butts only. Tenants are responsible for their plot AND maintenance of surrounding areas.
The Parish Council runs waiting lists for the allotment site for prospective tenants. To go on the waiting lists, please contact clerk@saltfordparishcouncil.gov.uk and supply the following information:
- Name
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Confirmation that you are a Saltford resident (evidence may be requested prior to a tenancy agreement being offered)
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A postal address (including post code) and an email address
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Confirmation on whether you would take on an overgrown plot or not (if this is the first plot offered).
- Confirm whether or not you are a Curo tenant.
If your contact details change whilst you are on the waiting list, please inform Saltford Parish Council as soon as possible. Please note only Saltford residents can be offered allotment plots.
Once you are at the top of the waiting list, you will receive an offer to rent a plot by letter to the postal address provided to the Council.
Please be aware that interest in becoming an allotment tenant is currently high, so it may take some time to reach the top of the waiting list. SPC may contact you to check if you still wish to stay on the Allotments Waiting List, especially if a few years have passed since asking to join. SPC is unable to state how long it will take to reach the top of the waiting list.
Any prospective tenant will be invited to view the plot prior to signing a tenancy agreement with the Parish Council. Tenancies must be signed by the person who will tend the plot – tenancies cannot be taken out on behalf of others. The Council reserves the right to request additional ID for proof of name and address e.g. driving licence, Council Tax Bill etc., prior to a tenancy being offered.
Links with other organisations
In addition to consultation with B&NES on many matters the Parish Council has close links – and Councillors and the Clerk attend meetings with – other relevant organisations. These include:
Saltford Community Association
Keynsham Area Forum
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Parishes Liaison meetings
River Avon Users’ Consultative Committee
‘Updates from Link Members’ is a standing item on SPC’s Full Council agendas.