Council Policies & Procedures
The way that the Council meetings operate is determined by its Standing Orders, and there are also Financial Regulations which set out how its finances will operate, including its policy on tenders and contracts. We also have a policy relating to the Investment & Reserves of the parish council explaining how and why money held by the council and made best use of. All Councilors must abide by the Council’s Code of Conduct, which includes a requirement for Councilors to declare various interests.
The Council maintains an Asset Register, containing details of everything it owns. A Risk Assessment document has been drawn up, to ensure that the Council has taken the necessary steps to protect its assets, and to ensure its continuing operation and financial viability. There is also an annual review of Financial Internal Controls which monitor our financial processes and how we can limit associated risks. We also review general Health & Safety, as it affects not only the day-to-day working of the parish Council offices but those venues used by us for public meetings.
In there event of an emergency that stops the council from being able to meet we have an agreed policy that the clerk can request to be enacted by the Chairman that allows the working of the parish council to continue.
The Council also has a Publication Scheme under the Freedom of Information Act, which has been prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner. This commits it to make information available to the public as part of its normal business activities. We also have a Retention of Documents Policy which explains what information we keep and for how long, but this should be read alongside our GDPR information.
As within our wider community we often have projects that cover works with children and the more vulnerable sections of our community we have a Safeguarding Policy in place so everyone is aware what would happen if we come across something concerning. We take confidentiality very seriously but would rather over report our concerns that let anything slip through the cracks.
If required, there is a Complaints Procedure, although we hope that no-one will ever need to use this. Complaints concerning the Council, members, officers, or its procedures or administration should initially be put in writing to the Clerk or Chairman.
A full list of those policies held by the council can be found by clicking here. You can request copies of these at any time from the clerk. These policies are now reviewed every 5 years (except the Standing Orders, Financial Regulations & Safeguarding Policy which are reviewed annually) or when notified of a statutory change.
