Like most Parish Councils, Burwell Parish Council was established in 1894. Councils are a democratically elected tier of local government, working closest to the local community.  A Parish Council has the power to raise funding through taxation, known as the precept and have a range of powers to incur expenditure. A Parish Council has some duties such as the provision of allotments should these be required by the community, but not as many duties as principal authorities such as District and County Councils.

Burwell Parish Council adopted the Power of General Competence in May 2023. To be able to do this, the Council had to confirm that at least two thirds of its Councillors have been elected and that its Parish Clerk holds the Certificate in Local Council Administration. The power, introduced as part of the Localism Act 2011 permits a council to do anything an individual can do unless specifically prohibited by legislation.

The structure of Burwell Parish Council consists of four Working Groups, a Strategy Group and Full Council. The Working Groups consider and make recommendations to the Full Council. The Working Groups meet bi-monthly and have no powers in their own right.

The Working Groups are Assets and Environment, Community, Leisure, Health and Sport, Finance and General Purposes and Safety. Public attendance at Working Group meetings is generally not allowed.

The Strategy Group consists of the Chair and Vice of the Council and Working Groups meets as needed. Again, public attendance at these meetings is not generally allowed.

The Full Council meets twice monthly and is a single corporate body. It considers all Council business including acting as a consultee for planning. Members of the public are welcome to attend Full Council meetings. 

Provides allotment land.

Provides and maintain a cemetery and chapel.

Maintains a memorial clock on the cemetery chapel.

Provides and maintain the Gardiner Memorial Hall, Jubilee Reading Room, Pavilion on the Recreation Ground and the Mandeville Hall.

Provides footway lighting (although most lights have now been handed over to the County Council for maintenance).

Provides litter bins on our own land and liaise with the District Council about other provision.

Provides and maintain open spaces such as Margaret Field, Spring Close and Priory Meadow.

Comments upon planning applications and strategic plans.

 Provides Public Toilets to the rear of the Jubilee Reading Room in the Causeway.

Provides and maintain playing fields at the Recreation Ground and play areas at Jubilee Green, Margaret Field and Westhorpe.

Maintains footpaths and bridleways in partnership with the County Council.

Manages the cutting of grass verges within the parish in partnership with the County Council.

Provides and maintain public seats.

Provides and maintain bus shelters.

Provides grants for other bodies e.g. youth issues, community transport.

Leaseholders and trustee of Burwell and District Day Centre.

Custodians and trustees of the nature reserve area at Pauline's Swamp.

Provides representations on various other bodies connected to the village.