The
parish council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council’s operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and
neighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council. The parish was known as Chard parish (distinct from the town of
Chard) until 1985 when boundary changes were made, and it was reduced in size. For
local government purposes, since 1 April 2023, the parish comes under the
unitary authority of
Somerset Council. Prior to this, it was part of the
non-metropolitan district of
South Somerset (established under the
Local Government Act 1972). It was part of
Chard Rural District before 1974. It is also part of the
Yeovil county constituency, represented in the
House of Commons. ==Amenities==