What the council does

There are three levels of local government in Basingstoke and Deane:

• Hampshire County Council
• Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
• Town and parish councils

Hampshire County Council

Hampshire County Council (HCC) is responsible for providing the following services across Hampshire:

• education - schools and colleges
• transport - roads and motorways including like potholes, street lighting and traffic lights
• fire and public safety
• social care
• libraries
• planning
• waste management
• trading standards

You can find out more about the services that Hampshire County Council provides on the Hampshire County Council website.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) is responsible for providing the following services within the borough:

• local planning and development control
• street cleaning, household waste and recycling
• administering council tax and housing benefit locally
• providing social housing and generally promoting good quality housing provision
• environmental health and safety
• parking enforcement
• licensing
• promoting economic development and tourism in the area
• providing parks and leisure facilities

The Council Plan 2023 to 2027 is a high level document which outlines our ambition for the borough, identifying key themes and priorities.

Town and parish councils

Town and parish councils operate on a level below Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. They are independent of other levels of government, but maintain a close working relationship with both borough and county councils.

The powers of parishes vary depending on how large and how active they are. Some meet infrequently (but at least four times a year, including one public meeting) and are responsible for very few matters.

Town and parish councils may be able to help with local issues such as:

• allotments and commons
• street lighting
• public clocks
• bus shelters
• community centres and village halls
• play areas and play equipment
• war memorials
• managing cemeteries
• grants to help local organisations
• consultation on neighbourhood planning

Town and parish councils may also issue fixed penalty fines for:

• littering
• graffiti
• fly posting
• dog fouling

Their aims are to:

• represent the local community
• deliver services to meet local needs
• improve the quality of life in the town or parish

Parish councillors

Parish councillors have an active interest and concern for their local community. They represent local people and work in partnership with them and others when necessary. They help facilitate the provision of local services and facilities and take decisions that form the policy of the council.

Councillors are not paid and have to abide by a local government Councillors Code of Conduct and declare their financial interests in the parish. Councillors must also declare a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter under discussion at a parish council meeting.

Parish and town councils