History was created last night as Erwarton voted to become a full parish council for the first time ever.

The village, known historically as Arwarton, made the decision to pursue the change in status at a public meeting at St Mary's Church chaired by Geoff Mayhew, with 20 people voting to make the step up, and six abstaining.

The 26 parishioners also voted by 25 -1 not to accept an invitation to be part of a combined Neighbourhood Development Plan, led by Shotley Parish Council.

Instead the villagers will decide at a later stage whether to adopt their own NDP, expand their current parish plan, or not pursue any neighbourhood plan, for the village with a population of nearly 130.

Peter Veenbaas proposed the change of status from Parish Meeting and outlined the perceived benefits, which includes a greater say in the future of the village, the opportunity to apply for Community Infrastructure Levy funds from Babergh's pot, and its own 15% share from any future developments' CIL payments.

Full list of powers and responsibilities documented below.

The next step for Erwarton is to present to Babergh District Council a petition containing the signatures of at least 7.5% of the local population.

The petition must:

• state exactly what it proposes: creating a parish council for its defined area
• contain the signatures of at least 7.5% of local electors, based on the most recent electoral register, Erwarton may need more signatures as a village with fewer than 2,500 electors

If the petition is valid, Babergh will carry out a 'community governance review' to see if a local council should be created.

With Mr Mayhew already stepping down from the Parish Meeting, along with current clerk Avril Barber, Erwarton farmer William Wrinch was elected to lead the transition to full parish council status and the search is on for a new, paid, clerk.

Meanwhile, villagers made it clear they did not see any benefits in being a junior partner to Shotley's NDP.

Babergh district councillor Derek Davis, who represents Ganges ward, which incorporates Shotley and Erwarton, answered questions on the pros and cons of a Neighbourhood Development Plan and the reasons behind the suggestion to involve both villages in Shotley's NDP.

Various parishioners aired their views and asked questions before a proposal was made by Mr Veenbaas not to accept Shotley's invitation, seconded by Graham Barber and passed by a large majority.

• Responsibilities and powers of a parish council include:

· Allotments· Burial Grounds, Cemeteries, Churchyards and Crematoria· Bus Shelters· Bye-laws – the power to make bye-laws concerning:baths and washhouses (swimming pools), cycle parks, mortuaries and pleasure grounds· Clocks – public clocks can be provided and must be maintained· Community Centres, Halls, Public Buildings· Drainage – of ditches and ponds· Entertainment and the Arts· Footpaths· General Spending – parish councils can spend a limited amount of money on anything they deem of benefit to the community that is not covered by the other specific responsibilities described in this list· Gifts – parish councils may accept gifts· Highways – lighting, parking places, right to enter into discussions about new roads and road widening, consent of parish council required for diversion or discontinuation of highway, traffic signs and other notices, tree planting and verge maintenance· Land – acquisition and sale of· Legal proceedings – power to prosecute and defend any legal proceedings in the interests of the community, power to take part in any public enquiry· Litter - provision of litter-bins and support for any anti-litter campaigns· Planning – parish councils may be notified of any planning applications for the area· Postal and Telecommunication Facilities – power to pay a public telecommunications operator any loss sustained in providing services in that area· Public conveniences – provision and maintenance of public toilets· Recreation – provision of recreation grounds, public walkways, pleasure grounds, open spaces, village greens, gymnasiums, playing fields, holiday camps and boating ponds· Rights of Way – footpath and bridleway maintenance· Seats (public)· Signs – danger signs, place names and bus stops signs· Tourism – financial contributions to any local tourist organisations allowed· Traffic Calming· War Memorials· Water Supply – power to utilise stream, well or spring water and to provide facilities for general use