Parish councils have the option to exercise a variety of powers and duties, including the delivery of a small number of specific local services that add to those provided by the principal council i.e. Tower Hamlets Council. These include recreation grounds, allotments, public toilets, control of litter, community centres, parks and open spaces, crime prevention, festivals and fêtes, traffic calming measures, support for tourism and markets.
There are over 10,000 parish councils across the country. The areas they serve are called civil parishes. Parish councils are different from Parochial Church Councils (or PCCs). Civil parishes have no connection to religious bodies.