| The Parish Council is the most immediate level of local government for the village of Austwick and surrounding hamlets, and so is able to deal with matters of particular concern to the local communities. It provides input to the planning processes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, and liaises with the YDNPA, North Yorkshire County Council and Craven District Council on other local matters. The Parish Council meets about every six weeks, and all local electors are encouraged to come to the meetings to see what goes on. Time is set aside at the start of each meeting for electors to raise any matter that they would wish the Parish Council to deal with. The members of the Parish Council are:
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