The Parish Council is the first tier of local government. As such, It is an elected body with discretionary powers and rights laid down by Parliament. It serves to represent the views of Bardwell residents to St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Suffolk County Council and acts as a planning consultee. It provides some very local services such as the collection of litter and as the Holding Trustees of Bardwell Playing Field provides support and finance to the village recreation facilities.    

The Council is comprised of seven Councillors and a Clerk. The Councillors all act in a voluntary capacity and decide on issues by majority consensus. The clerk acts as an advisor to the council and carries out various statutory administration tasks. The clerk is the only member who receives a salary and therefore has to remain independent from any decisions reached by the Council. For more information visit web site for The National Association of Local Councils.

The next meeting of Bardwell Parish Council will be held at 7.30pm on
Tuesday, 1 November 2011 at The Tithe Barn, Up Street, Bardwell