PARISH COUNCIL

Andrea Hanks ( Chair)

Su Delve (Vice Chair)

Robert Capon

Peter Cox

David Faiers

Jo Hassan

Ben Shotbolt 

Julian Thompson

Each councillor's register of interests can be found on the West Suffolk District Council website using the search facility - Register of Interests

PDF IconCouncillor roles

All Councillors are signed up to the Local Code of Conduct.

CLERK 

Nicholas Spring

07813396404

Email the Clerk

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

Councillor Harry Richardson

WEST SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCIL

Councillor Carol Bull - Email

The Parish Council

  • give views, on behalf of the parish in relation to planning applications and other proposals that affect the parish;
  • undertakes work and projects that will benefit the parish; this includes cemetery maintenance & management and the employment of a litter picker
  • The Parish Council is able to make small grants to local organisations.
  • works in partnership with other organisations to achieve benefits for the parish;
  • informs other organisations of problems that arise or work that needs to be undertaken;
  • helps the other levels of local government keep in touch with the local community.

Planning

The Parish Council is a statutory consultee for planning applications in Hopton. In effect that means that West Suffolk District Council sends the details of all applications to the Parish Council and invites the council to make comments.

Although the parish council is a statutory consultee anyone can object to, or support, applications. It must also be remembered that planning permissions are granted, or refused, by West Suffolk District Council not the Parish Council.

You can search for planning applications using the West Suffolk District Council planning applications search facility.

Precept

The Precept is the Parish Council's share of the council tax, and is used to help improve life for the local community in many ways. Each year the Parish Council is obliged to assess how much money is required to effectively administer the parish. This is done through a budget process where receipts and payments are considered for the forthcoming year.

The Parish Council then notifies West Suffolk District Council of the amount of money required, which is sent to the Parish Council in April. Details of the Parish Council finances are available here. 

Meetings

The Parish Council normally meets on the second Monday of the month and usually has attendees from Suffolk County Council and West Suffolk District Council.

 

Schedule of Meetings 2026-2027

Monday 13th April

Monday 11th May *

Monday 8th June

Monday 13th July

Monday 14th September

Monday 12th October

Monday 9th November

Monday 7th December

Monday 21st January

Monday 8th March

Meetings are held in the Hopton Village Hall starting at 7pm and members of the public are welcome to attend.

* The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Monday 11th May at 7pm and will be followed by the Parish Council Meeting which will start not earlier than 7.15pm                

Minutes are published as soon as possible after each meeting in draft form on this website. These are then approved as a true record at the following parish council meeting, with amendments if necessary.

If you requre any further information please contact the Parish Clerk .

Policies

Parish Council policies are listed on the Policies page.