In 2007 the Government gave eligible councils something called “the Power of Well Being. This enables a council to“do anything which it considers likely to achieve the promotion or improvement of the economic, social, or environmental well-being of their area.”

Normally the council can spend money only on matters specifically described in an Act of Parliament. (This is in contrast to individuals, who can legally do whatever they like, unless an Act of Parliament says they cannot.) For example, the council can provide litter bins only because this power was granted in the Litter Act 1983. Having the Power of Well Being gives a little more freedom to the council in its scope.

There are several requirements a council must meet in order to obtain the Power of Well Being. Specifically, the council must have:

• a qualified clerk
• a minimum of two-thirds of vacancies on the council filled at the last ordinary  elections
• eighty per cent of councillors trained in the use of the well-being power; and
• a published statement of intent as to community engagement

Warlingham Parish Council met all these eligibility criteria bar one: it needed to publish its statement of intent as to community engagement. This describes the way the council communicates with the rest of the community. The Council did so at its April meeting  and so it now has the Power of Well-Being.