Our Responsibilities
Responsibilities by government level
Parish Council
Parish councils are the most local level of government, responsible for representing the community and managing a range of local assets and services. Our duties include maintaining public spaces such as parks, play areas, cemeteries, and village greens; supporting community events and local groups; commenting on planning applications; and working with principal authorities on issues like highways, transport, and environmental improvements. We also set an annual precept to fund our activities and we act as a voice for residents, raising local concerns and helping shape the future of the parish.
Any other responsibilities fall under a different authority or section of the government, and many of them sit at the level of the Borough Council or the County Council.
Borough Council
Borough councils cover a wider area and provide a broad range of local services. In Rushcliffe, they are responsible for many everyday public services.
Typical borough council responsibilities include:
- Bin collections and recycling services
- Council tax collection and housing benefit administration
- Housing services (including council housing and homelessness support)
- Environmental health — pest control, noise complaints, food safety
- Leisure centres, parks, and some public open spaces
- Planning decisions — determining planning applications
- Licensing — alcohol, taxis, events
County Council
County councils handle the big, strategic services that cover the whole county.
Typical county council responsibilities include:
- Highways and transport — roadworks, road closures, gritting, traffic lights, crossings
- Public transport coordination — bus routes, supported services, concessionary passes
- Education — schools, admissions, special educational needs
- Libraries
- Social care — adult social care, children’s services
- Public health
- Waste disposal (boroughs handle collection; counties handle disposal)
- Trading standards and fire & rescue service
What we can act on
Maintain open spaces and playparks
We look after the parish’s open spaces and play areas so they remain safe, welcoming, and well‑kept for everyone. Our role includes routine inspections, arranging essential maintenance, and ensuring these shared places continue to offer a pleasant environment for recreation and community use.
Support local groups
We support local organisations by signposting them to available resources, offering small grants where appropriate, and helping to raise awareness of the work they do. Our aim is to encourage a thriving network of community groups that contribute positively to parish life.
Run community events
We help to organise and promote community events that bring residents together and strengthen local connections. Whether we are coordinating an activity directly or assisting others who are running one, we focus on creating inclusive opportunities for people to meet, participate, and enjoy shared experiences.
Seek funding for larger community projects
We work to identify suitable funding opportunities for larger community projects and, where needed, collaborate with the borough council and neighbouring councils and other relevant authorities to move these projects forward. By doing so, we help ensure that important initiatives have the support they need to progress while staying within our statutory responsibilities.
What we can advise on
Comment on planning applications
We review local planning applications during full council meetings as they are submitted. We can offer a local view and comment on material considerations, though it is only a comment and decisions are made by the borough council.
More information about what influences planning decisions can be found on our Planning applications page.
Collaborate with other authorities
The borough council regularly invests in community upgrades and we can collaborate with them to build a project that directs fund to our community, adheres to our neighbourhood plan and our community needs, and also support local businesses, groups and charities. While the delivery rests with them, we can influence the directions of the project and make sure it supports our growth.
What we can help with
Get in touch with us if you have any questions on these topics:
- Issues in parish-owned play parks or open spaces
- Ideas for local events
- Requests from local groups or charities for small-scale support
- Queries about parish assets (benches, noticeboards, small green spaces)
- Community projects where we can seek funding or collaborate with borough/county partners
What we cannot help with
The parish council does not handle:
- Bin collections or recycling
- Road repairs, road closures, or traffic management
- Street lighting (usually county, sometimes borough)
- Council tax billing or benefits
- Planning decisions (we only comment)
- Housing services
- Public transport routes or timetables
- Libraries or social care
- Large-scale environmental or climate programmes
If you have a query on any of these topics, you can visit the Rushcliffe Borough Council website or the Nottinghamshire County Council website.
You can count on us
If you’re unsure, you can contact us and we will happily direct you to the relevant authority if it’s not our remit.
You can also visit our FAQ page which addresses some of the most common questions residents have.
Neighbourhood Plan
A well‑made neighbourhood plan gives the community a shared sense of direction. It sets out what matters most to residents and turns those priorities into practical guidance for future decisions, from where new homes should go, to how green spaces are protected, to what kinds of facilities and infrastructure the community needs.
It’s essentially our collective blueprint for what we want this place to become, and a tool that keeps everyday choices aligned with that bigger vision.
Explore
Our assets
A list of the assets that we look after and provide to the community.
Council documents
All our documents covering our meetings, policies and other governance aspects.
Useful contacts
Contact details for other key organisations in the local area.
Local news
Recent notices and posts about the local area.