A short history of English parish councils

Gretton Parish Council History

Parish Councils were formed in England under the Local Government Act 1894 to take over local oversight of civic duties in rural towns and villages.  Before this date a variety of groups based around ecclesiastical parishes had responsibility for these matters, in a system of local government that originated in the fuedal system of the 8th century.  Their areas of responsibility were known as civil parishes and they were grouped together to form rural districts.  Civil parishes existed in urban districts, but did not have parish councils.

Following the Local Government Act 1972, many small towns which had previously formed municipal boroughs of urban districts became "successor parish's" within larger districts.  Since the enactment of the Local Government and Rating Act 1998, district and unitary councils may create a parish council for a new civil parish wither through a review or in response to a petition.  This has led to the creation of new parish councils at an increased rate, especially in large towns and cities which do not have a history of parish governance.

This is taken from Taking Stock Parish Centenary Edition December 1994. A very interesting look at the first 100 years of the Parish Council and the changes that have taken place.

A Brief History of Gretton Parish Council by Arnold Boon

On the 4th December 1894, 83 Parochial Electors of Gretton assembled in the National School to form a Parish Council for the Village under the recent Local Government Act of 1894.

Although County Councils had been in operation some ten years before, until the Act became operative, Parish matters had been dealt with under the Vestry system involving mostly the Vicar and the churchwardens.

Taking into account that the persons eligible to attend were males of 21 years and over, and the population of the village would be around the 800 mark, the attendance was very good.

The Recreation Ground

Again in the early days the provision for a Recreation Ground was raised, but for one reason or another this was not proceeded with.  In fact there is nothing in the records regarding this subject until September 1919 when the Rev. Maurice Winnard, a well known Gretton sportsman, put forward a motion but at the next meeting for one reason or another this was ‘postponed’.

The situation was not changed until 1964, when the Council decided to proceed with a scheme to provide facilities for sport on a six and a half acre site off Kirby Road which Stewarts and Lloyds had offered for £640.  The area was developed with a pavilion, storehouse, a tennis court, cricket square, toilets and children’s play area, paid for by grants, donations, increased precepts and the sale of two old cottages. The scheme and the methods adopted were passed on to several villages who were considering similar schemes.  Looking back it is difficult to understand why it took nearly seventy years to provide football and cricket facilities in a village which is renowned for its sporting activities.  Until 1964, the football club had played on eight fields and the cricket club had played on three.

Gretton joins Corby

In 1972 there was another re-organisation of Local Government which was to start from 1st April, 1974. This meant, among other things, the end of the Rural District Councils as such and the formation of new District Councils. Gretton was placed in the Corby District, together with Weldon, Stanion, Rockingham, Cottingham, Middleton and East Carlton. This Act also gave increased powers to Parish Councils.

Gretton nearly loses Kirby Hall

In the recent past, there was a move by Corby Borough Council to remove Kirby Hall from the Parish of Gretton to Bulwick which is in the East Northamptonshire District, in exchange for certain areas from the latter authority, including Corby Golf Course.

The Parish Council fought hard and long to retain Kirby Hall in the Gretton Parish and were successful.