Bearsted Parish Council has 15 Councillors who meet once a month for the main Council meeting but there are several smaller Committees which meet to discuss items such as Planning, Finance, Transport, Open Spaces and Youth. The Parish Office is situated in Madginford Hall and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday to Friday. The Clerk to the Parish Council is Mrs Helen Rimmer.

The Parish is represented on the Borough Council by Mr Richard Ash, Mr Allan Bradshaw and Mrs Pat Marshall.

Thurnham Parish is located in a beautiful and secluded area of Kent and is just 3 miles north east of the County Town of Maidstone. The Parish covers an approximate area of 3194 acres, the majority of which lies within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the North Downs Special Landscape Area. The famous Pilgrims Way runs through our Parish and attracts many ramblers who often stop to explore the ruins of Thurnham Castle and Thurnham village that has much to offer visitors. Parish Clerk, Mrs Sherrie Babington

Thurnham Parish is surrounded by the Parishes of Detling, Stockbury, Hucking, Hollingbourne, Bearsted and Boxley. It has a population of 839 electorates and 474 residencies.