A Meeting of the Finance Committee of Findern Parish Council will take place at 7.00pm on Tuesday, 28 November 2023. The meeting will be held at the Methodist Church, Lower Green, Findern DE65 6AD.

The Agenda for the meeting and the Minutes of the previous meetings can be found on the Meetings page here.

Residents of the Parish are welcome to attend the meeting but are unable to take part in the proceedings.

You should not attend a meeting in person if:

• you have coronavirus symptoms: a high temperature, loss or change to sense of smell or taste, a new continuous cough.
• if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are waiting for a test result.

The residents of Findern Parish can start getting in the Festive mood with the first events of Christmas 2023 – the switching-on of the Christmas lights on Friday 1 December.

This year, we have two Christmas Tree Light Switch-On events – one on The Green in Findern, and one at Stafford Park (at the corner of Stafford Drive and Tutbury Avenue) in Highfields.

Findern Parish Council invite all residents to join us!

In Highfields gather at Stafford Park (at the corner of Stafford Drive and Tutbury Avenue) at 4.30pm for the countdown. Once the tree is lit, residents are welcome to walk to Highfields Spencer Academy for mulled wine and mince pies and refreshments for the children too. There will be Children’s entertainment from Dream Parties with games, dancing and competitions; and there will also be the Highfields PTFA Christmas Fayre taking place from 5pm -7pm with lots of festive gifts and food on offer.

In Findern gather on The Green at 5.30pm for the countdown. Once the lights are twinkling, residents are welcome to convene to the warmth of the Village Hall for mulled wine and mince pies and refreshments for the children too. There will be Children’s entertainment from Loopy Lou and Hocus Pocus Magic; and Santa will be in his Grotto waiting to meet all the children to hear what toys and games they hope to receive this Christmas. Santa has a gift for every child to keep them entertained until the big day! Note, the event will go on till about 7.30pm.

Also, in the Festive Findern programme, there will be a Community Carol service on The Green at 5.30pm on Tuesday 19 December; followed by the big one on Friday 22 December from 5-8pm, Santa’s Sleigh and Christmas Fayre, also on The Green.

We look forward to seeing you at one of these Festive events!

Following a resignation, Findern Parish Council has one vacancy for a member of the public to become Parish Councillor – Would you like to apply?

If you feel you would like to get involved in making decisions about your local community, local issues and make a significant contribution to the area in which you live or work, then this is the position for you! If have an interest in your local environment, local transport, local government finances, amenities, planning issues, community events, anti-social behaviour and policing, and want to make a difference? Then please apply!

Findern Parish Council is made up of 10 voluntary councillors who meet once a month to discuss and act on issues of importance to the local community.  The Parish Council sets and monitors how a proportion of local taxes are spent in the Parish, make comment on planning applications in the Parish and consider projects to help maintain, improve or enhance the local area.  Local Government is changing and Parish Councils are seeing an increase in the responsibilities and opportunities to influence decisions made that affect our local community.

No special qualification is required to be a Councillor; indeed, it is important that all sorts of people serve as Councillors to give good representation of the community. Training for new councillors is also available to help assist with understanding the responsibilities of the role.

You must be aged 18 years and over, eligible to vote and have lived or worked in the parish of Findern for 12 months or more, or within 3 miles of the parish boundary. Note, the new Highfields development is within the parish boundary.

If you would like to put yourself forward as a Findern Parish Councillor please complete the application form available to download here. Further information on the eligibility to be a Councillor and the person specification is included with application form. The deadline for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday 24 November 2023.

Send applications to Findern Parish Council, Parish Rooms, Lower Green, Findern, DE65 6AD or email to clerk@findernparishcouncil.org

If you have any query please telephone the Clerk to the Parish Council, on Mob: 07444 085807 or email on address above.

Please see the following resources for more information:

All About Town and Parish Councils prepared by The National Association of Local Authorities (NALC)

It takes all sorts prepared by NALC in 2011 as part of a drive to encourage individuals from under-represented groups to become local councillors.

Thirteen reasons not to join the Parish Council

The next Ordinary Meeting of Findern Parish Council will take place at 7.00pm on Thursday, 9 November 2023. The meeting will be held at the Methodist Church, Lower Green, Findern DE65 6AD.

PRESS AND PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE MEETING. The first 15 minutes of the meeting are allocated for public speaking; for residents to raise any issues.

The Agenda for the meeting and the Minutes of the previous meetings can be found on the Meetings page here.

You should not attend a meeting in person if:

• you have coronavirus symptoms: a high temperature, loss or change to sense of smell or taste, a new continuous cough.
• if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are waiting for a test result.