Originally Parishes were ecclesiastical areas then, in 1889, it became statutorily defined as "a place for which a separate poor rate is or can bemade or for which a separate overseer is or can be appointed". Whilst overseers and poor rates were abolished in 1925, and urban parishes ceased to exist after 1 April 1974, the rural parishes continued as parishes. There are some 10200 parishes in England of which 8629 have an elected parish     council [the others, usually small parishes, only have parish meetings]. A parish council is a body constituted under powers conferred by Parliament but it only has powers which have been specifically conferred upon it by Acts of Parliaments. It must hold not less than four meetings per year, one of which must be the annual meeting. It is a corporate body but it is not necessary for it to have a common seal. The size [i.e. number of councillors] is determined by the district or unitary council.