Whissendine Parish Council
Whissendine Parish Council is the first tier of local government for the village. Created under the Local Government Act of 1894, the Council is responsible for a range of local matters including street lighting, the village green and brook, bus shelters, The Banks play area, the village environment, and participation in the planning process. It also acts as trustee of the Long Clawson Land Charity.
The Council raises money through local taxation (the precept) and publishes full accounts annually. The Parish Clerk is an employee of the Council, responsible for ensuring that decisions made are carried out effectively and within the law.
Meetings
The Council meets on the first Monday of each month at 7:15pm in the Village Hall (entrance at the back door). Meetings are open to all residents — everyone is welcome to attend.
There is also an Annual Parish Meeting in May for a wider discussion of the needs of the village.
Meetings may move to the following week if the first Monday falls on a bank holiday. There are no meetings during summer months.
Your Councillors
The Council is made up of eight elected councillors plus the Parish Clerk.
Chair: Mrs Cynthia Moss
Vice Chair: Mr Kevin Thomas
Councillors: Mrs Linda Arnold, Mr Tim Collins, Dr Carol East, Mr Will Farr, Mr Paul Greenlay, Mrs Gillian Wilkins
Meetings Schedule and Minutes
Neighbourhood Development Plan
The Whissendine Neighbourhood Plan 2022–2035 sets out the community's vision for how the village should develop over the coming years. It was adopted by Rutland County Council on 18 March 2024 following a referendum on 29 February 2024, in which a majority of those who voted were in favour.
The plan is used to inform planning decisions affecting the village and is an important document for protecting the character of Whissendine. The plan will be updated in line with the Rutland County Council Local Plan, which is due for ratification in September 2026.
Key sections:
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Whissendine Neighbourhood Plan 2022–2035
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Whissendine Design Guidelines and Codes
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Housing Needs Assessment
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Community Survey Results
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Survey Report
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Map of Plan Area
Click here to read the Whissendine Neighbourhood Plan 2022-2035
Documents & Accounts
The Parish Council publishes its accounts in line with statutory transparency requirements. Monthly accounts are available from 2015 onwards, with full annual accounts, governance returns and audit reports available from 2012.
Village Land
The Parish Council administers several parcels of land on behalf of the village:
Long Clawson Land Charity ('The Poors Land') — an area of farmland in Long Clawson, historically gifted to the parish for the relief of the poor. Managed by the Parish Council as trustees.
The Banks — public open space belonging to the people of Whissendine, with title held at the Land Registry. The Parish Council is the sole riparian owner where the brook flows through the middle of the Banks land, and shares riparian ownership with neighbouring landowners where the brook runs along the boundaries.
Play Area - The Council is responsible for maintenance of the play area and play equipment.
The Village Green — a registered village green managed by the Parish Council.
RCC Ward Councillor
Local Councillors for Rutland County Council are elected by the community to decide how the council should carry out its various activities. They represent public interest as well as individuals living within the ward in which they have been elected to serve a term of office.
They have regular contact with the general public through council meetings, email, telephone calls or surgeries.
Your Whissendine Ward councillor is Councillor Rosemary Powell (Independent)
Find out more about Rosemary Powell at https://rutlandcounty.moderngov.co.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=650
Councillors on outside bodies
Representatives:
Parish Forum: Dr East and Mrs Arnold
Community Positions:
Village Hall Committee: Mrs Moss and Mr Farr
WEG: Mrs Moss and Mr Greenlay
Sports Club Liaison: Mr Collins
Grapevine Group: Mrs Moss
Tree Champion: Mrs Moss
Whissendine Neighbourhood Plan (Lead): Mr Thomas
Responsibilities:
Burial Land Acquisition: Mr Farr and Mr Collins
Useful Links
Rutland County Council: www.rutland.gov.uk
Report a pothole or highways issue: https://rutland.fixmystreet.com/
Current roadworks and closures: www.one.network
