The Parishes Advisory Group (PAG) was set up approximately nine years ago, originally to work alongside MKCC officers and the Cabinet member with responsibility for Parish Partnerships, to ensure that the Parishes Forum agenda represented the needs and the requirements of the parishes themselves. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Parish Partnerships (currently Cllr Jennifer Wilson Marklew) chairs the Parishes Forum. A vice chair is elected to serve for two years, by ballot at the Parishes Forum. This role is currently held by Cllr Sue Smith (Woughton Community Council).  The chair and vice chair also hold the same roles on the Parishes Advisory Group (PAG).

The role of the PAG has evolved over the years, and its Terms of Reference is as follows: 

Terms of Reference (February 2026)

Purpose and Function of Group 

1. To advise the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Parish Partnerships on matters of mutual interest to MKCC and the parishes and make any appropriate and relevant recommendations to MKCC or hold consultations with the parishes.
2. To shape and agree approaches on key issues and pieces of work before wider circulation to parishes in particular where MKCC are proposing changes that may materially affect parishes and their communities  

Sub Working/Task Groups may be set up to focus on the identified areas of concern or progress. Working / Task Groups will be chaired by a PAG representative and opportunities to attend will be issued to all parish and town councils. This could be parish clerks, parish councillors or a combination of both

3. To shape and agree the  way forward for the devolution agenda and ensure that services and assets rest with the level of local government that can best maximise the opportunity of particular assets and services to work for the wider community.

4. To consider agenda items for the Parishes Forum, and agree the final agenda for the Parish Forum each quarter

5. To foster close co-operation between other stakeholders and partners to ensure the best possible outcomes for the communities that we all work to serve

Group representation 

The Chair of the PAG will be the Cabinet Member with the portfolio which includes parish / community partnerships

The Vice Chair of the PAG will be a parish councillor who has been voted in to the role of Vice Chair of the Parishes Forum, by attendees of the Parishes Forum on the date the vote is called for. Due notice will be given and all parish councillors will be invited to stand for vice chair.

Membership of the PAG will consist of

• Ward councillors from invited political groups.
• Three representatives from the Milton Keynes Association of Local Councils (MKALC)
• Three further parish councillors invited by the Chair.

There is a desire for PAG members to reflect the different types of parishes, where possible, i.e. tiny, small, medium, large, very large, urban and rural, as well as ensuring members are representative of the diverse make up of Milton Keynes. 

• When considering applications / nominations, the Chair and MKALC will give consideration to (but not limited to)  
• The current local government / local council agenda and skills and qualities needed to progress the agendas jointly for the greater good of MK’s communities.
• Relationships and interactions with other members of organisations that would be beneficial to the PAG
• Historical track record of parish involvement and positive involvement for the greater good of local council / principal authority relationships

Parish Councillors can also self-nominate or nominate another parish councillor, (giving due consideration to the above) by applying either to the Chair or to MKALC who will consider such nominations.     

Where applications / nominations are not received from the desired cross section, the Chair will make a decision, in consultation with the Vice Chair.

In addition to the above listed, the Chair may vary membership, co-opting additional representatives on a permanent or fixed term basis dependant on the tasks / agenda / horizon. This could be on the recommendation / suggestion of another PAG member.

Frequency of Meetings

The PAG will meet on a regular basis (at least quarterly and no later than 2 weeks prior to the next PF) with a further four meetings scheduled in as necessary.  There will also be the opportunity for all members to call an ‘extra-ordinary’ meeting on a given subject.

General

Where other nominations are required (eg for the Planning Cabinet Advisory Group, being a recent example) and there is no PAG due to meet, the Chair will request that MKALC make nominations.

Alteration to the Terms of Reference

Any alteration to these terms of reference shall receive the consent of the Chair and the Vice Chair in consultation with the group

Appendix 1

Current membership is   

Chair:   Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew (Ward Councillor and Cabinet Member – Labour)

Vice:    Cllr Sue Smith (Chair - Woughton Community Council) voted on (as joint role – also Vice Chair of the Parishes Forum)         

Members:       

Cllr Phil Ayles - MKALC Representative (Chair of Castlethorpe Parish Council, which is a small rural council)

Cllr Paul Harvey - MKALC Representative (Councillor – West Bletchley Council which is a very large urban council)          

Cllr Richard Pryor - MKALC Representative (Chair of Haversham cum Little Linford Parish Council which is a small rural council)                               

Cllr Veronica Belcher (Chair of West Bletchley Council which is a large urban council)                 

Cllr Macsene Isles-Ahite (Councillor – Broughton and MK Village Parish Council which is a medium urban council)          

Cllr Charlotte Hall (Chair of Old Woughton Parish Council which is a small urban council)  

Cllr Sam Crooks (Ward Councillor – Liberal Democrats)

Cllr Alison Andrew (Ward Councillor – Conservatives)                    

Officers:         

Kay Pettit – Programme Manager – Parish and Town Councils

Sarah Gonsalves – Director – Customer and Community Services 

Appendix 2

Parish Classification - based on NALC’s definition

The split is as follows (based on 2026/27 precepts)

Urban

Rural/Rural Towns

If you are interested in knowing more about the PAG please get in touch with Kay Pettit