Governance and Policies

There are strict rules which govern how the Council is managed. Statutory documents relating to these rules are available below.

Freedom of Information Act

Publication Scheme under the Freedom of Information Act 2000

The purpose of this publication scheme is to be a means by which the Council can make a significant amount of information available routinely. The scheme will ensure that the council will publish more information proactively, and help it to develop a greater culture of openness and transparency.

This authority’s key responsibilities are to represent the electorate of its area, to take action within the legal framework and to provide a leadership focus for the community.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 received Royal Assent on 30th November 2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities. A ‘public authority’ is defined in the Act, and includes but is not restricted to central and local government, non-departmental public bodies, the police, the National Health Service, and schools, college and universities. Any person who makes a request to a public authority for information must be informed whether the public authority holds that information and, subject to exemptions, supplied with that information.

Individuals already have the right of access to information about themselves under the Data Protection Act 1998. As far as public authorities are concerned, the Freedom of Information Act will extend this right to allow public access to all types of information held. New legislation came into force in 2008 requiring that Town/Parish Councils adopt a mandatory publication scheme to be operational from 1st January 2009. Further details are available from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) website.

Powers and Duties

The Parish Council does not have major powers to carry out policies but it is able to advise and put pressure on the larger authorities in respect of the future development and condition of the Civil Parish area. The Council is also able to organise, within the confines of its budget, schemes to improve the social life of the Parish.   The document below details the legislation under which a Parish Council can act.

Powers & Duties of a Parish Council

The below documents can be printed for reference, but cannot be altered, and are published in accordance with Crown Copyright regulations.

Policies

• 1.1 Standing Orders
• 1.2 Financial Regulations
• 1.3 Risk Management Policy & Risk Assessment
• 1.4 Grants, Donations & Financial Support
• 1.5 Sale of Land
• 1.6 Tree Management
• 1.7 Code of Conduct for Councillors
• 1.8 Social Media
• 1.9 Investment Strategy
• 1.10 CCTV Policy
• 3.1 Model Publication Scheme
• 3.2 Publication Scheme
• 3.3 Communications Policy
• 4.1 Public Participation at Meetings
• 4.2 Complaints Procedure

Annual Return 2023/2024

• 2023/24 Annual Governance and Accounting Statements
• 2023/24 Exercise of Rights with Summary of Rights
• 2023/24 External Auditor Report and Certificate
• 2023/24 Notice of Conclusion of Audit

Previous Annual Returns

• Annual Returns

CIL Returns

• 2023/2024
• 2022/2023
• 2021/2022
• 2020/2021
• 2019/2020
• 2018/2019
• 2017/2018

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

• 2.1 Privacy Notice
• 2.2 Privacy Notice for Hirers
• 2.3 Privacy Notice for Email Contact
• 2.4 Privacy Notice for Staff
• 2.5 Privacy Notice for Councillors
• 2.6 Consent Forms