Sir Gavin Williamson paid tribute to Brocton’s community spirit following an Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council.
The AGM provided the opportunity to thank Parish Councillors for their dedication to community service, which includes scrutinising planning applications, looking after green spaces, and providing support to community groups.
Parish Councillors are often unpaid and are the first tier of local Government. As well as attending meetings, Parish Councillors often volunteer in their free time by organising litter picks, and putting on various shows for the community to enjoy.
Brocton Parish Chairman, Robin Bates said: “Brocton Parish Council are grateful to Sir Gavin for finding time to attend our Annual Parish Meeting.
“He touched on subjects that are high on the priority list for both residents and the Parish Council including boundary changes and possible reorganisation of the police by merging with the West Midlands – neither of these are particularly welcome.
“High on the agenda of both the Parish Council and residents were the problems at Brocton Crosslands and lack of mobile phone service in the area. Sir Gavin promised to do what he can on both counts.”
Sir Gavin said: “I was grateful to the Chairman and Clerk of Brocton Parish Council for inviting me to their AGM so I could firstly thank Parish Councillors for the tireless work they do for Brocton and the local community.
“Parish Councils are very much embedded in the community, often giving up their free time to improve the local area as well as representing parishioners by scrutinising planning applications and ensuring residents have a voice at both a local and national level.
“I am committed to assisting the Parish Council resolve some of the issues that were highlighted and look forward to work with them and community groups in the near future.”
