The Parish Council is the public body which represents the village of Great Canfield.

Elected every four years, it is essentially non-political and seeks to provide a forum for local decisions to be taken and also to give an opportunity for residents to bring to attention matters which are of concern to them.

The Agenda for a Meeting should be posted on the parish notice boards and on this site 7 days before the due date, and Minutes within two weeks after.

Meetings start with a session to allow members of the public to air any matters which may be of interest or any problems they may wish to bring to the attention of the Council, before the formal Meeting starts.

General responsibilities, discussed at most Meetings are Highways and Road Safety, Footpaths, Local Crime Prevention, Trees and Environmental Issues. Events which impinge on the Parish, such as the Crumps Farm waste disposal works and BAA’s plan for the further expansion of Stansted Airport are also on most Agendas.

Perhaps the most important issue which the Council considers is that of planning. Decisions are taken at District level within Uttlesford’s Planning department, but the Parish Council has the option to make recommendations both for and against which will be taken into consideration. The time period for examining planning applications is short; the Parish Council has 21 days to respond. Perhaps the best way for members of the public who are interested in local Applications is to access the weekly Planning Lists published by Uttlesford District Council and available at the offices on Dunmow High Street. Applications can also be followed at the same address, but the easiest way to access information is to use the internet link to www.uttlesford.gov.uk and follow the links to "planning" and "viewing planning applications".