FAQs
Burial Ground
Can I reserve a plot at the Burial Ground?
We do not reserve plots. For more information go to our Burial Ground page
What are the fees for the interment of ashes and burial of a body at All Saints Church?
For a list of fees, more information, and necessary forms go to our Burial Ground page
Community Involvement
How do I book something at the Community Centre?
Go to our Community Centre page
How do I get involved with the Parish Council?
Visit our Council page. You'll find out how to Have Your Say, how to Become A Councillor, and more about Committees and Working Groups.
How do I raise an issue at a Council Meeting?
Go to our Have Your Say page
How do I volunteer for community projects?
I’m interested in being a Councillor. Where can I find out more?
Go to our Become a Councillor page
Where can I find information about local events?
Go to our Community page
Contact
Are you on social media?
Yes. Find us on Facebook
Can I come to the Parish Council office to see a member of staff?
Yes! Go to our Council Office page for more information
How do I contact my district councillor?
How do I contact my local councillor?
Go to Your Parish Councillors
How do I contact my MP?
I am unhappy about the Parish Council. How do I complain?
Long Ashton Parish Council is committed to providing a quality service for the benefit of the people who live or work in its area or are visitors to the locality. If you are dissatisfied with the standard of service you have received from this council, or are unhappy about an action or lack of action by this council, this Complaints Procedure sets out how you may complain to the council and how we shall try to resolve your complaint. This Complaints Procedure applies to complaints about council administration and procedures and may include complaints about how council employees have dealt with your concerns. Visit our Complaints Procedure
Council Information
Are you on social media?
Yes. Find us on Facebook
Can I advertise in your newsletter?
No. The newsletter does not accept commercial advertising. See our Long Ashton and Leigh Woods newsletter page
Do you have a Biodiversity Action Plan?
Yes. See our Biodiversity Working Group page
Do you have a Climate Emergency declaration?
Yes. See our Climate Emergency page
Do you publish a newsletter?
Yes. Find it on our Long Ashton and Leigh Woods newsletter page
How do I apply for a grant or funding?
Go to our Community Grants page
How do I find out more about the Parish Council’s finances, assets, audits, accounting and governance?
Go to our Local Government Transparency page
How do I find out which services North Somerset Council and which services Long Ashton Parish Council do?
Go to our A-Z of Services page
How do I get involved with the Parish Council?
Visit our Council page. You'll find out how to Have Your Say, how to Become A Councillor, and more about Committees and Working Groups.
How do I raise an issue at a Council Meeting?
Go to our Have Your Say page
How does the Parish Council define how they do business, conduct meetings, ensure transparency and ensure consistency?
The Council follows Standing Orders that you can find on our Standing Orders and Policies page
How does the Parish Council govern the conduct of financial management?
The Council has financial regulations that govern the conduct of financial management which may only be amended or varied by resolution of the council. Financial regulations are one of the council's three governing policy documents providing procedural guidance for members and officers. Financial regulations must be observed in conjunction with the council's standing orders and any individual financial regulations relating to contracts. The council is responsible in law for ensuring that its financial management is adequate and effective and that the council has a sound system of internal control which facilitates the effective exercise of the council's functions, including arrangements for the management of risk. Visit our Financial Regulations
How does the Parish Council retain and dispose of its data?
The Council accumulates a vast amount of information and data during the course of its everyday activities. This includes data generated internally in addition to information obtained from individuals and external organisations. This information is recorded in various different types of document. Records created and maintained by the Council are an important asset and as such measures need to be undertaken to safeguard this information. Properly managed records provide authentic and reliable evidence of the Council's transactions and are necessary to ensure it can demonstrate accountability. Visit our Document Retention and Disposal Policy
I want to donate a tree and/or a bench. How do I do that?
Visit our Bench and Tree Donation Policy
I want to know what the Parish Council has been doing this year. Can I see a summary?
Yes! Go to our Annual Statements page to find annual reports from every Committee (Full Council, Finance and General Purposes, Planning, and Environment Committee)
I want to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act. How do I do that?
Go to our Access to Information page
I want to understand more about the precept. Where can I find out more about it?
Go to our Precept FAQs page
I’m interested in being a Councillor. Where can I find out more?
Go to our Become a Councillor page
Is there a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP)?
Yes. See our Neighbourhood Development Plan page
What geographical area does the Parish Council cover?
Long Ashton Parish Council covers Long Ashton and Leigh Woods. See our Parish Map page
What is the difference between a Committee and a Working Group?
Go to our Working Groups page
What is the difference between a Parish Councillor and a District Councillor?
A Parish Councillor serves at the local level, making decisions on behalf of the people in a specific parish. A District Councillor operates at a higher level, representing residents within a larger district or borough. District Councillors report back to residents on issues affecting the district. Both roles involve representing views and concerns, but at different tiers of local government.
What is the difference between the Parish Council and North Somerset Council?
Long Ashton Parish Council and North Somerset Council serve different roles within the local government structure.
Long Ashton Parish Council operates at the most local level, covering the village of Long Ashton and Leigh Woods. It focuses on community-specific issues such as managing local amenities like play parks, bus shelters, and litter bins. The Parish Council also addresses local concerns, like planning applications. Parish Councillors are elected by residents of Long Ashton and Leigh Woods to represent their interests. Councillors work closely with the community to improve the local environment.
North Somerset Council is a unitary authority covering a larger area, including towns like Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon, and Portishead. It handles broader services such as education, transportation, housing, social services, and waste collection. It combines the roles of both county and district councils. District/Ward Councillors are elected to represent larger constituencies within North Somerset.
In essence, Long Ashton Parish Council deals with hyper-local issues specific to Long Ashton and Leigh Woods, while North Somerset Council manages more extensive services and infrastructure across a wider area.
What is your Equality Policy?
Go to our Equality Policy
What local consultations are happening at the moment?
Go to our Consultations page
Where can I find the minutes of past Council Meetings?
Go to our Agendas & Minutes Archive
Where can I find the schedule for upcoming Council Meetings?
Go to the Council Meetings Calendar
Where does the Parish Council hold its meetings?
We normally hold meetings at the Jubilee Pavilion, which is part of the Long Ashton Community Centre complex. Visit our Contact Us page to find a map
Council Meetings
How do I raise an issue at a Council Meeting?
Go to our Have Your Say page
Where can I find the minutes of past Council Meetings?
Go to our Agendas & Minutes Archive
Where can I find the schedule for upcoming Council Meetings?
Go to the Council Meetings Calendar
Where does the Parish Council hold its meetings?
We normally hold meetings at the Jubilee Pavilion, which is part of the Long Ashton Community Centre complex. Visit our Contact Us page to find a map
Planning
How do I apply for planning permission?
Go to our Planning Page
I want to make a significant and/or complex planning application. What should I consider?
Visit our Pre-Planning Application Protocol
Is there a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP)?
Yes. See our Neighbourhood Development Plan page
Reporting Issues
How do I find out which services North Somerset Council and which services Long Ashton Parish Council do?
Go to our A-Z of Services page
How do I report a pothole?
Go to North Somerset Council's website and sign in to MyAccount. Choose 'Report Or Request It' and choose 'Report A Pothole'
How do I report antisocial behaviour?
Go to North Somerset Council's website and sign in to MyAccount. Choose 'Report Or Request It' and then choose 'Anti-Social Behaviour'
How do I report dangerous and/or illegal parking?
See our information on dangerous and illegal parking
I want to complain about an event at Ashton Court, who do I contact?
Contact Bristol City Council via their website or call 0117 922 2000. Phone lines are open 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday. Or email customer.services@bristol.gov.uk
The grit bin on our road is empty. How does it get refilled?
Make a report to North Somerset Council on their Roads and Street Winter Maintenance page
What can I do about a car that is parked on the pavement and/or causing an obstruction?
Go to our Pavement Obstruction page. See also our information on dangerous and illegal parking.
Services and Schedules
Are there Vehicle Activated Speed Signs in Long Ashton?
Yes. See our Vehicle Activated Speed Signs page
How do I access library services?
Go to North Somerset Council's Libraries page
How do I apply for housing assistance?
Go to North Somerset Council's Housing page
How do I find out which services North Somerset Council and which services Long Ashton Parish Council do?
Go to our A-Z of Services page
How do I register a birth, marriage, or death?
Go to North Somerset Council's Births, Marriages and Deaths page
Where can I find local bus and transport information?
Go to North Somerset Council's Bus Services and Timetables
Where can I find recycling and waste collection schedules?
Go to North Somerset Council's Waste Collection Schedules