The Parish
The Cliffe and Cliffe Woods Parish Council has existed for over 100 years. There is often confusion with the Church’s Parochial Parish Council, but we are a legally recognised level of local government. Eight local residents represent Cliffe Woods and eight Cliffe. The full council meets each month and there are a small number of sub-committees that also meet to investigate and discuss specific issues in more detail before making recommendations to the Parish Council. Two clerks manage the parish on a day to day basis.
The Parish is funded through the local council tax. Residents pay an extra amount on top of the Medway Council, Police and Fire Services charges. Additionally we raise funds from other sources for large schemes such as the Cliffe Ball Court, Skate Park and Play Area.
We have allotments in Cliffe which are very popular and there is a waiting list for plots - contact the Clerk for more details. There will also be some new allotments on the Redrow development in Cliffe Woods once building works have completed.
We are consulted on planning applications in our parish and local, regional or national issues affecting our area and we take an active part in liaison with Medway Council, the police and the longer term strategic plans for our area.
We help fund our village halls in Cliffe and Cliffe Woods directly (£5,000 each) and provide a grant to St Helen's Church, Cliffe for the grass cutting in the churchyard. Other grants are available subject to conditions and can be applied for using the Council's grants application form
All members have to stand for election every four years, if there are more nominations than positions, polling takes place on the same day as the Medway Council elections. Any vacancies can be filled by a by-election, if sufficient local electors request it, but more commonly additional members are selected by the parish council. When vacancies occur why not be an even more active member of the community and join us?
The next elections are in May 2027 when all councillors are up for election for the following four year period.