A: No! the parish clerk is appointed by the parish council who have been elected by residents. The Parish Clerk should not participate in Parish Council meetings unless requested to clarify a legal point by the Parish Council Chairman. The Parish Council may decline to take the advice offered by the Parish Clerk. It is the Parish Councillors who are liable if illegal decisions or actions are taken irrespective of the advice given. Parish Councillors may be surcharged by the District Auditor if they act without the legal powers to do so.