Parish councils are the most local level of government and are made up of elected councillors who live in, or have strong links to, the area.

As Hartford Parish Council, we aim to make Hartford a better place to live, work and visit. All of our councillors are unpaid volunteers, who work on behalf of residents to:

• Represent local views
• Improve the local environment
• Support community facilities and activities.

We also have five members of staff – a Clerk, an Assistant Clerk, two Village Wardens and a Village Hall administrator – all of whom work part-time.

What does Hartford Parish Council do?

As Hartford Parish Council, we run a wide range of activities in the village. Our work includes:

• Managing the community facilities and spaces that we own, including:
  • the Village Hall and Green Field Pavilion
  • our parks, playgrounds and the Green Field
  • Ann Todd Gardens, Glebeland and the herb beds
  • the allotments at the Green Field
  • the car parks at Grange Park and the Village Hall
  • our benches, planters and other street furniture in the village
  • the five defibrillators we have installed in the village
• Providing grants to community groups and charities – e.g. to the Marshalls Arm Nature reserve, to help volunteers maintain the area
• Running community events, such as Picnic in the Park, the Remembrance Day parade and the Christmas Light Up event
• Supporting charities and community groups to run their own community events
• Producing the monthly Hartford News magazine, plus our website and Facebook page, to keep residents updated with local news
• Running an equipment loan scheme for residents and community groups
• Commenting to CWAC on planning applications and other issues affecting the area
• Supporting nature and biodiversity in the village
• Working to make the village more accessible and age-friendly
• Supporting young people in the village

How are we funded?

We are funded by residents through the precept, which is included in the Council Tax bill. 

• For the year April 2025 to March 2026, this is £58.67 per year for a Band D property. 
• For the year April 2026 to March 2027, this will be £60.95 per year for a Band D property. 

See our finances for further details: Hartford Parish Council documents.

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) is the unitary authority for the area and is responsible for the main public services, including:

• Highways, road maintenance and footpaths
• Civil parking enforcement
• Waste collection, litter, dog-fouling and recycling
• Housing and council tax
• Education and schools
• Social care and safeguarding
• Planning decisions
• Libraries, public health, and environmental services.

As Hartford Parish Council, we do not replace these services. Instead, we share local knowledge with CWAC, and try to ensure that decisions reflect local needs.

If you have any issues with the services above, please contact CWAC directly via:

• Cheshire West and Chester Council
• CWAC Report It
• Tel: 0300 123 8 123

Get involved with Hartford Parish Council

Want to support Hartford Parish Council or get involved with our work? Find out about:

• Becoming a Hartford Parish Councillor
• Volunteering for Hartford Parish Council
• Joining Hartford Parish Council meetings.