County and county boroughs in Wales (also known as 'principal areas') are divided into community areas for which there may be an elected community council. A community council is a corporate body consisting of the chair and the community councillors. Community councillors are elected by local government electors for the community and hold office for a term of 4 years. The chair is elected annually by the council from among the councillors.

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Community councils were established under the Local Government Act 1972 (LGA 1972) and replaced the previous system of parish councils.   Each community council takes the name of the community followed by the words 'Community Council' or, in Welsh, 'Cyngor Cymuned'.

The functions of a community council are set out in LGA 1972 and in other legislation, comprised of people who care about their community and want to make it a better place to live.  Among the services and amenities they most commonly provide are village halls, playing fields and open spaces, seats, shelters, street lighting and footpaths.

 

Under the Local Government Act 2000, community councils have power to do anything they consider is likely to achieve the promotion or improvement of the economic well-being, social well-being or environmental well-being of their area.

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The main source of funding for community councils is the funds raised through what is referred to as a precept (a charge) to council tax under section 41 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.  A community council must calculate its budget requirement for a financial year in accordance with that Act and issue a precept to the billing authority.  A community council’s expenses are paid out of the funds received by the precept. 

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