Parish Councils

Divided by the mighty Sib, Sibford is blessed with two parish councils. Since June 2026, each has its own website:

https://sibfordferris-pc.gov.uk

https://sibfordgower-pc.gov.uk

Refer to them for details of parish council business, such as meeting agendas, minutes and policies.

This section of the village website provides further information related to the work of the parish councils.

Our Planning Applications page lists recent planning applications for the two parishes, plus others from surrounding parishes that may be of interest to Sibford residents.

If you are thinking of developing your property in Sibford, you will need to be aware of the Conservation Area.

In 2011/12, residents of the villages worked together to develop the Sibfords Community Plan. In the Sibfords Community Plan section we have preserved the web pages that were published at the time to keep villagers informed of progress.

The boundaries of the Parish Councils may be examined on the Ordnance Survey’s Election Maps website.

Parish Councillors

Each parish council consists of five members from the community who each serve for a period of four years. If, for any reason, a councillor cannot serve their full term the remaining councillors have the power to co-opt a replacement councillor to serve until the next full election. Parish councillors are non-party political and are not paid for parish council work. The parish council employs a Parish Clerk to carry out the day to day business of the council. The clerk advises the council on correct procedures but has no vote at council meetings.

Finances

A parish council is financed by a precept which is a tax on the residents of the parish, collected by Cherwell District Council as part of Council Tax. The amount of the precept is decided annually by the parish council. Very roughly, each household in the Sibfords contributes around £1 per week.

Meetings

As far as possible, all parish council decision-making is carried out in public, at parish council meetings, held approximately every two months.

Members of the public may attend parish council meetings. They may record or broadcast the proceedings, but there are conditions attached; consult the Parish Clerk first.

Members of the public have no legal right to speak at meetings, other than in a public participation session, which is usually an early agenda item.

By law, the parish council may only make decisions (especially if they involve expenditure) on matters that have been itemised in the meeting agenda, which must be published on the village notice board and parish council website three clear days before the meeting. “Three clear days” excludes the day the notice was issued, the day of the meeting itself, Sundays, and Bank Holidays. To propose a topic for the agenda, contact the Parish Clerk or a councillor in good time.