Structure of the Parish Council
The Clerk is the paid officer of the Parish Council and is appointed to deal with the day to day running of the Council, arrange and clerk meetings, maintain records, deal with correspondence, oversee the burial ground, maintain financial records of the Parish Council and a host of other duties to facilitate the business of the Parish Council.
The meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month (except August) from 7.30pm in the Village Hall. At each meeting there is a period during which residents and public may raise comment through the Chair, preferably having given prior notice to the Chair or Clerk.
The Parish Councillors have a shared responsibility to represent the views and concerns of their parishioners. Residents and other members of the public may contact any Councillor or the Parish Council Clerk to discuss their views and concerns regarding parish affairs, these may be raised during forthcoming Parish Council Meetings if necessary.
The Election of Parish Councillors
Election of Parish Councillors occurs every four years. Candidates must be over 18 years of age and on the electoral role of the village (maintained by South Northamptonshire Council on an annual basis). A candidate will also qualify if, during the whole of the twelve months prior to the election, he /she has resided in the locality or within three miles of it, or occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises thererin, or had his/her principal place of work there. Election forms are available from the Clerk or South Northamptonshire Council. Each candidate has to find his/her own sponsor and seconder. All information relating to elections is displayed on the village noticeboards. All Parish Councillors must agree to the Code of Conduct and notify the Council of their financial interests locally.
In the event of a Parish Councillor resigning, a casual vacancy will occur. Unless ten electors request an election to South Northamptonshire Council, this vacancy can be filled by co-option. Anyone interested in filling such posts will see notices advertising the vacancy.
Parish Accounts
The Parish Council is empowered to raise a precept from local parish electors as part of annual rates charges collected by South Northamptonshire Council.
During November and December the Parish Council work out their financial requirements for the following financial year (from April to March), taking into account any reserves it may hold. The Parish Council must budget for the Parish Clerk’s salary and expenses, the cost of street lighting, maintenance of roadside verges, village greens, burial grounds, provision of newsletters, reports and other items provisioned by relevant national legislation. The Parish Council requests a sum of money to carry out these functions -the precept- from South Northamptonshire Council, who raises that sum in the Council Tax.
The formal accounts are maintained by the Clerk and routinely monitored by a designated Parish Councillor. Additionally and most importantly, the finances and overall operation of the Parish Council are scrutinsed annually by both a locally appointed auditor and an external auditor, the latter working directly under the authority of the national Audit Commission.
The accounts are available for inspection on application to the Clerk. The audited accounts are included in the annual report in April of the following year.
Parish Councilor
Keith Simmons Chairman
Co-opted in 2011, elected in 2014, 2021 and 2025
Elected as Chairman in 2014 and have been re-elected since then.
I have lived in Eydon for 15 years, having moved with my wife, Angie, from Woodford Halse.
As can be seen I have served on the Parish Council almost all the time I have lived in the Village.
I have a keen interest in the village and its surrounding countryside, and am determined that the Parish Council will do all we can to protect it from unsuitable development, whilst at the same time improving its amenities whenever possible which is an ongoing aim.
Eydon is a great place to live and I want to play my part in keeping it that way and trying to involve as many other residents as possible to do the same.
My interests include local history, particularly railway history, railway modelling (member of Woodford Halse Model Railway Club), gardening, reading and travel.
Email: keith.simmons@EydonParish.gov.uk
Registrable interest form - Keith Simmons Chairman (PDF, 1.42 Mb)
Kim Keeble Vice Chairman
Vice Chair
Elected May 2021
I have lived in Eydon since 1991 and work as a professional freelance classical musician (I play the oboe), teacher and own a wine shop and bar called Oboe Fine Wine of Eydon with my husband David.
I love living in a rural village and feel strongly about protecting the beautiful countryside which surrounds us. Eydon has a strong sense of community with quite a lot going on and I like to think I play a part in supporting the village with fundraising musical events.
In my free time I teach skiing, and enjoy walking in the countryside, running and trying to keep fit. I am equally at home going to art galleries, watching live performances and films with my daughter, and relaxing with a glass or two of fine wine.
Email: kim.keeble@EydonParish.gov.uk
Registrable interest form - Kim Keeble Vice Chairman (PDF, 738.31 Kb)
Andy Reynolds
Co-opted June 2025.
Email: Andy.Reynolds@EydonParish.gov.uk
Ian Stewart
Co-opted July 2025.
Email: Ian.Stewart@EydonParish.gov.uk
Luke Alexander
Co-opted January 2024.
I moved to Eydon with my wife and two dogs in 2022 after seeking a more rural life. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time so far and hope to stay for many years to come.
We were drawn to Eydon for the ‘matchbox’ village with its picturesque surroundings, the brilliant village facilities available and the sense of community. It was this that drew me to the Parish Council to be part of this and contribute towards keeping our village enviable for years to come.
I am a GP and my interests include cars (old and new), cooking and dog walks with our great footpaths and sports field.
Email: Luke.Alexander@EydonParish.gov.uk
Howard Carter
Co-opted September 2021.
Email: howard.carter@EydonParish.gov.uk
Steven Fox
Steve has lived in Eydon with his wife, Lindsey and family since 2001.
His kids have grown up and left home and he retired in 2021. During his career he worked in Logistics, Construction Materials & Processes, Mergers & Acquisitions and for the Foreign Office manging the Queen’s Messengers.
Email: clerk@EydonParish.Gov.Uk