The council has little power but a reasonable amount of influence. A prime example of this is planning applications. The planning authority is South Cambridgeshire District Council, but they give details of every planning application within the parish to the parish council for review and will take into account the councillors� comments when coming to a decision.

Below is a list of each councils responsibilities.

Parish Council

Sawston Cemetery, Chapel and Extension.
Burials within the cemetery.
St. Mary�s churchyard (old plot only)
London Road allotments.
The Spike field (leased)
Orchard Park (leased)
The Millennium Copse
The Brook and Brookside Walk.
Hide Close Wetland area
Litter and Dog bins
Recycling Area
Village litter picking
Parish office and upkeep of parish noticeboard
Cambridge Road bus shelter
Fireworks on bonfire night
Trees
Christmas Decorations
Huckeridge Hill award land
Late night shopping
Play equipment in Orchard park, Deal Grove
Play area�s: Deal Grove
Open Spaces: Wakelin Avenue, Church Lane,
Old forge way, Woodland Rd, Teversham way, Broadmeadow

Lynton Way Recreational Ground (leased)
Mill Lane Recreation Ground
Spicers sports ground
Hanging baskets, bulb and shrub planting

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District Council
Street Lighting (SC No.)
Council Housing
Sheltered housing and community rooms
Building Control
Planning
Environmental Health
Dog Fouling
Village car park
Council tax
Refuse Collection
Recycling Area
Litter in the high street\car park(mon, weds,fri)
Some roads, verges, pavements
Arts grants
Sports grants
Trees
Pest control
Street trading licenses

County\Government

Street Lighting (Cambridgeshire county council no.)
Social services
Residential homes
Public Library
Schools
Police
Fire service
Health
Ambulance service
Traffic Lights
Pavements and repairs
Highways-main roads
Major signs and village signs
Lollipop People
Grants towards some public transport
Trees
Safer routes to schools
Public entertainment licences
Footpaths