Aston Ingham Parish Council Standing Orders

1. Councillors

1.1 Following election or co-option to the Parish Council, each councillor will be issued with a copy of the Code of Conduct and Standing Orders of the Council. They will sign the form of Declaration of Acceptance of Office in the presence of the clerk to the Council, or of a councillor who has been specifically designated by the Council for this purpose. The clerk or designated councillor will also draw their attention to the legal requirement that they register their interests with Herefordshire Council within 28 days of their election or co-option.

1.2 All councillors will observe the Code of Conduct at all times when on Council business, and no member will act in any way that will bring the Council into disrepute, behave offensively in meetings, or obstruct the Council’s business.

1.3 The Council’s Code of Conduct defines when a councillor will declare a disclosable pecuniary interest, a non-disclosable pecuniary interest or a non-pecuniary interest in an item for discussion at a Council meeting. The councillor will declare that interest, and the nature of that interest at the appropriate time – usually Item 3 on the agenda.

2. Annual Parish and Council Meetings

2.1 Annual Parish Meetings

The Parish Council will sponsor an annual meeting of the Parish, at which local clubs, organisations and societies, other than sub – committees of the Parish Council itself, will be invited to report on their activities over the past year. This meeting will normally be held in May, the week before the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.

2.2. Annual Meeting of the Parish Council
2.2.1 In an election year, the annual meeting of the Council shall be held on or within 14 days following the day on which the new councillors elected take office, normally at 7.30 p.m.
2.2.2. In a year which is not an election year, the annual meeting of the Council shall be held on such a day in May as the council may direct.
2.2.2. In addition to the annual meeting of the council, at least three other meetings of the Parish Council shall be held in each year on such times and dates as the Council may direct. In practice, this is usually ten.
2.2.3. The first business conducted at the annual meeting of the Council shall be the election of the chairman and vice – chairman of the Council.
2.2.4. The chairman of the Council, unless he has resigned or becomes disqualified, shall continue in office and preside at the annual meeting until his successor is elected at the next annual meeting of the Council.
2.2.5. The chairman of the Council, unless he resigns or becomes disqualified, shall hold office until immediately after the election of the chairman at the next annual meeting of the Council.
2.2.6. In an election year, if the current chairman of the Council has not been re-elected as a member of the council, he shall preside at the meeting until a successor chairman of the Council has been elected. The current chairman of the Council shall not have an original vote in respect of the election of the new chairman of the Council, but must give a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.
2.2.7. In an election year, if the current chairman of the Council has been re-elected as a member of the Council, he shall preside at the meeting until a new chairman of the Council has been elected. He may exercise an original vote in respect of the election of the new chairman of the Council and must give a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.
2.2.8. Following the election of the chairman and vice-chairman at the annual meeting of the Council, the business of the annual meeting shall include : –

a) In an election year, delivery by the chairman of the Council and councillors of their acceptance of office forms, unless the Council resolves for this to be done at a later date. In a year which is not an election year, delivery by the chairman of his acceptance of office form, unless the Council resolves for this to be done at a later date.
b) Confirmation of the accuracy of the minutes of the last meeting of the council.
c) Review and adoption of appropriate standing orders and financial regulations.
d) Confirmation of arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insured risks.
e) Review of any other policies or procedures

3. Meetings

3.1. Arrangements for Meetings

3.1.1. An agreed frequency of meetings will be decided at the Annual Meeting, and councillors will be advised of each meeting by the issue of a summons and agenda delivered by hand or by email. The agenda must be issued at least three clear working days before the meeting.

3.1.2. Subject to 3.1.1. above, meetings will normally be held at 7.30pm on the second Monday of the month. A meeting will not normally be held in August unless there is outstanding business, planning applications or other urgent matters.

3.1.3. The agenda for each meeting will be agreed by the clerk and the chairman or, in the latter’s absence, the vice-chairman. The agenda will always include an item to enable councillors to declare interests.

3.1.4. A public notice will be posted on the Parish Council’s notice board outside the Village Hall informing members of the public of the venue, time, date and business to be transacted at each meeting. The notice will be posted at least three clear working days before the meeting. This does not include the day on which the notice was issued, the day of the meeting, a Sunday, a bank holiday or a day appointed for thanksgiving or mourning.

3.1.5. Meetings shall not take place in premises which at the time of the meeting are used for the supply of alcohol, unless no other premises are available free of charge or at a reasonable cost.

3.1.6. Meetings shall be open to the publIc unless their presence is prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, or for other special reasons. The public’s exclusion from part or all of a meeting shall be by a resolution which shall give reasons for the public’s exclusion.

3.2. Quorum.

The quorum for the Council will be 3. If there are insufficient members present, no business will be transacted and the meeting will be reconvened at a later date. If at any time during a meeting it ceases to be quorate, the meeting may be allowed to continue at the chairman’s discretion. No decision may be taken, however, while the meeting is inquorate unless the chairman deems a matter to be so urgent as to require immediate action. The clerk must report any such decision to all councillors not present at the meeting as soon as possible after it has ended.

3.3. Conduct of Meetings

3.3.1. The chairman of the Council will preside at each meeting and will be responsible for the conduct of that meeting. If the chairman is not present, then the vice-chairman will preside. If neither is present, the first matter on the agenda will be the election of a councillor to chair the meeting.

3.3.2. Meetings will be open to the public and press, but they may be temporarily excluded from a meeting if the Council decides that the business to be discussed should be regarded as confidential. If so, the chairman should state the reason for the exclusion before it takes effect.

3.3.3. There will be an agenda item at every Council meeting for members of the public to raise issues. Unless otherwise decided by the chairman, the time allotted to this will be limited to 15 minutes, with no member of the public being permitted to speak for more than 5 minutes. Members of the public may only speak at other times in a meeting at the discretion of the chairman of the meeting.

3.3.4. The press shall be provided with reasonable facilities for the taking of their report of all or part of a meeting at which they are entitled to be present.

3.3.5. The chairman may require a member of the press or public to leave a meeting, or may adjourn the meeting, if he/she considers that person to be behaving in an offensive manner or otherwise obstructing the Council’s business.

3.3.6. Subject to standing orders which indicate otherwise, anything authorised or required to be done by, to or before the chairman of the council may in his absence be done by, to or before the vice- chairman of the council.

3 3.7. Meetings will not exceed a period of two and a quarter hours. Any business not completed by that point in the meeting will be held over until the next meeting or referred to an extraordinary meeting, if so decided by a show of hands.

3.3.8. Annual Meeting of the Parish Council

  • In an election year, the annual meeting of the Council shall be held on or within 14 days following the day on which the new councillors elected take office, normally at 7.30 p.m.
  • In a year which is not an election year, the annual meeting of the Council shall be held on such a day in May as the Council may direct.
  • In addition to the annual meeting of the Council, at least three other meetings of the Parish Council shall be held in each year on such times and dates as the council may direct. In practice, this is usually ten.
  • The first business conducted at the annual meeting of the Council shall be the election of the chairman and vice – chairman of the Council.
  • The chairman of the Council, unless he has resigned or becomes disqualified, shall continue in office and preside at the annual meeting until his successor is elected at the next annual meeting of the Council.
  • The chairman of the Council, unless he resigns or becomes disqualified, shall hold office until immediately after the election of the chairman at the next annual meeting of the Council.
  • In an election year, if the current chairman of the Council has not been re-elected as a member of the council, he shall preside at the meeting until a successor chairman of the Council has been elected. The current chairman of the Council shall not have an original vote in respect of the election of the new chairman of the Council, but must give a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.
  • In an election year, if the current chairman of the Council has been re-elected as a member of the council, he shall preside at the meeting until a new chairman of the Council has been elected. He may exercise an original vote in respect of the election of the new chairman of the Council and must give a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.

3.3.9. Following the election of the chairman and vice-chairman at the annual meeting of the Council, the business of the annual meeting shall include : –

a) In an election year, delivery by the chairman of the Council and councillors of their acceptance of office forms, unless the council resolves for this to be done at a later date. In a year which is not an election year, delivery by the chairman of his acceptance of office form, unless the Council resolves for this to be done at a later date.
b) Confirmation of the accuracy of the minutes of the last meeting of the Council.
c) Review and adoption of appropriate standing orders and financial regulations.
d) Confirmation of arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insured risks.
e) Review of any other policies or procedures.

3.4. Declarations of Interest.

If a councillor declares an interest in any matter before the Council, he/she may make representations, answer questions and give evidence on that matter, but must then leave the room while the matter is discussed and any vote arising from it is taken.

3.5. Decision-Making

3.5.1. The Council may only take decisions on items on the agenda. If the chairman decides that there is any issue not on the agenda which the Council should deal with as a matter of urgency requiring immediate action this may be discussed, but no decision on that issue may be made at that meeting without the unanimous agreement of all councillors present.

3.5.2. Each decision by the Parish Council must first be formally proposed and seconded by councillors. No formal vote need be taken on a decision unless this is requested by one or more councillors. Voting at a meeting shall be by a show of hands unless a majority of councillors wants a ballot.

3.5.3. Only the proposer and seconder of a decision will be recorded in the minutes unless one or more councillors request that their own votes are noted. A councillor may also request that the clerk records how each councillor has voted, including abstentions. Any request of this nature will be made before moving on to the next business.

3.5.4. Subject to a meeting being quorate, all questions at a meeting shall be decided by a majority of the councillors or councillors with voting rights present and voting.

3.5.5 In cases of equal votes the chairman (or other person presiding) will have a second or casting vote, except that at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council the outgoing chairman will not have an original vote in the election of his/her successor but must give a casting vote if the need for this arises.

3.6. Extraordinary Meetings

3.6.1. The chairman of the Council may convene an extraordinary meeting of the Council at any time.

3.6.2. If the Chairman of the Council does not or refuses to call an extraordinary meeting of the Council within 7 days of having been requested to do so by two councillors, those two councillors may convene an extraordinary meeting of the Council. The statutory public notice giving the time, venue and agenda for such a meeting must be signed by the two Councillors.

3.6.3. Records of meetings

A minute of every Council meeting will be kept by the clerk or other nominated person in the clerk’s absence. The minutes which are circulated to Councillors and the notes placed on the Aston Ingham Parish Council Website will be unconfirmed minutes until they are approved by the Parish Council at their next meeting and signed by the person presiding at that meeting.

4. Alteration or Reversal of Previous Decisions

Decisions of the Council will not be revised within 6 months, except where a special item is placed on the agenda bearing the name of two councillors, and is considered and approved by the Council.

5. Emergency Business.

Should it not be appropriate to convene an extraordinary meeting, any emergency business will be handled by the Clerk, in consultation with the chairman and one other councillor. Actions will be reported promptly to the Council.

6. Filling of Casual Vacancies

6.1. Where a casual vacancy in the Council’s membership arises as a result of the resignation, disqualification or death of a councillor, the Council may co-opt a member to the Council. In such circumstances the clerk will place an advertisement on the Council’s notice board and any other appropriate places and on the Parish Council Website inviting applications to fill the vacant position.

6.2. Any person(s) who express(es) an interest in filling the vacant position will be invited to attend the next meeting of the Council where:

  • The chairman or other person presiding at the meeting will make an opening statement explaining the circumstances and welcoming the applicant(s)
  • The candidate(s) will be invited to give a brief résumé of their experience, career/ employment, interests, etc.
  • Councillors may ask questions of the candidate(s).
  • The candidate(s) will then withdraw from the room, while the councillors vote on the co-option, after which they will be invited to return to the meeting to be informed of the outcome.
  • Any candidate who is duly co-opted may be invited to join the Council’s discussion for the remainder of the meeting, but does not become a councillor and may not vote on any matter until after they have signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

7. Clerk to the Council

7.1. The Council may appoint a number of employees to assist it in the performance of its duties. The Council will appoint a clerk to the Council on an employed basis, unless the clerk is a member of the Council acting in an unpaid capacity.

7.2. The clerk will act as the Proper Officer of the Council, and will: –

a) receive the Declarations of Acceptance of Office
b) sign documents on behalf of the Council
c) conduct correspondence on behalf of the Council
d) deal with emergency business in accordance with paragraph 5 (above)
e) issue agendas and notices of meetings. At least three clear days before a meeting of the Council or committee, the clerk shall serve on councillors, by email or delivery at their residences a signed summoms confirming the time, place and the agenda.
f) record and circulate minutes of meetings, receive and distribute plans and documents on behalf of the council in paper and electronic form.
g) process all requests made to the Council under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Data Protection Act 1998 and maintain the records required under the Acts
h) advise the bank of changes to mandates with the bank.
i) convene a meeting of the full Council for the election of a new chairman of the Council, occasioned by a casual vacancy in his office.
j) receive and retain copies of bye-laws made by other local authorities.

7.3. The clerk will act as Responsible Finance Officer, unless the Council appoints
one of its members to that role. The Clerk will also be responsible for managing
the work of the Lengthsman and that of any other employees or contractors
engaged by the Council.

7.4. As an employee of the Council the clerk is covered by employment legislation dealing with employment rights, discrimination in employment, unfair dismissal, redundancy and similar matters. The clerk will, therefore, have a contract of employment stating the terms and conditions under which he/she is employed. This will be administered by the chairman or by a designated councillor acting with the authority of the Council. Any complaint made against the clerk will be dealt with as an employment matter by the chairman or, in his/her absence, by the vice-chairman.

8. Committees and Working Groups.

The Council may set up committees and working groups to undertake work on its behalf. The Council will set the terms of reference of such groups, and they will report to the Council at such intervals as it requires.
The members of a committee may include non-councillors unless it is a committee which regulates finance.

9. Liaison with Herefordshire Council.

In advance of each Annual Meeting of the Council the Clerk will send to the District Councillor representing the Parish’s electoral ward an invitation to the meeting, together with the agenda, and, if the Council orders, will copy to the District Councillor letters and e-mails sent to Herefordshire Council. When he is present at a meeting the District Councillor will be ‘in attendance’ to provide such advice, information and assistance as requested by the Council, but has no vote in any decision made by the Council.

10. Finance

10.1. Responsible Finance Office (RFO).

10.1.1. The Responsible Finance Officer is a statutory office and appointed by the Council. The clerk of the Council or another appointee will take on this role of managing the Council’s financial affairs in accordance with ‘Proper Practices’.

10.1.2. In these Standing Orders the term ‘Proper Practice’ or ‘Proper Practices’ shall refer to guidance issued in Governance and Accountability in Local Councils in England and Wales – a Practitioners’ Guide, which is published jointly by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and updated from time to time.

10.2. Financial Reporting and Budgeting
The RFO will provide the Council with monthly reports of income and expenditure for its consideration. These will include variances between actual figures and those in the budget for the current year. Significant underspends or overspends will be brought to the attention of the Council and action taken to address any discrepancies. Amendments to the current year’s budget will be discussed in Council and changes minuted. The Council will review the budget for the following year in good time for the precept to be agreed and submitted to Herefordshire Council.

10.3. Allowances and Expenses

Members of the Parish Council do not receive allowances, but may claim the refund of expenses incurred in conducting business on behalf of the Parish Council, provided these are supported by receipts.

10.4. Accounting and Audit

10.4.1. The RFO will determine and comply with all accounting procedures
and financial records of the Council in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations.

10.4. The RFO will complete the annual financial statements of the Council, including the annual return, as soon as practicable after the end of the financial year and will submit and report on them to the Council. The Council will conduct an annual review of its system for auditing its accounting, financial and other procedures and ensure that the system is fully effective in line with Proper Practice.

10.4.3. An Internal Auditor will be appointed by the Council to carry out the work required to comply with the Proper Practice. The person appointed will be a fully qualified Auditor and independent of the operation of the Council.

10.4.4. The RFO will submit the Annual Return to the External Auditor by the due date.

10.5. Banking Arrangements and Cheques

10.5.1. The Council’s banking arrangements, including the Bank Mandate, will be made by the RFO and approved by the Council. They will be regularly reviewed for efficiency.

10.5.2. A resolution of the Council will nominate six members to be authorised by the Council to sign cheques. Cheque stubs must also be signed.

10.5.3. All items of expenditure will be authorised by the Council and the payments approved. The RFO will examine invoices and verify and certify the expenditure. Cheques will be completed for all transactions and signed by three authorised Councillors. Cheque stubs must also be signed.

10.5.4. Any regular payment may be paid by Direct Debit provided that the instructions are signed by three authorised Councillors.

10.6. Loans and Investments

10.6.1. All loans and investments will be negotiated in the name of the Council and will be set for a period approved by the Council.

10.6.2. All borrowings will be in the name of the Council and will not be entered into until necessary approvals have been given. Any application will be approved by the Council, especially the terms and purpose.

10.6.3. All investments of money under the control of the Council will be in the name of the Council and all certificates or other documents will be retained by the RFO.

10.7. Contracts and Purchase Orders

10.7.1. An official order or letter will be issued for all work or service paid for by the Council. All councillors and officers are responsible for obtaining good value for money at all times. An officer placing an order on behalf of the Council will ensure that good value and appropriate terms are obtained for the transaction.

10.7.2. Orders for values £500 to £2,000 require a minimum of two quotations; for values above £2,000 three quotations are required. Contracts exceeding £10,000 require additional safeguards and will follow Proper Practice.

10.7.3. All estimates will be approved by the Council. While the Council is not obliged to accept the lowest quotation, the reasons for accepting the quotation will be recorded.

10.8. Assets.

The RFO will ensure that a complete and accurate Register of Assets is maintained for the Council, if necessary, of all its assets with an estimated value of £50 or more. It will be reviewed at least annually, in conjunction with a health and safety inspection of assets where appropriate.

10.9. VAT.

The RFO will promptly complete any VAT Return that is required. Any repayment claim due in accordance with the VAT Act 1974, section 33 will be made at least annually coinciding with the financial year.

11. Risk Assessment

11.1. A risk assessment will be undertaken annually of all the activities of the Council and a report approved by the Council. This assessment will also cover the appropriateness of the internal audit arrangements. The risk assessment will be reviewed annually.

11.2. If the Council undertakes a new activity not covered by the existing risk assessment, an assessment will be undertaken before the activity commences.

12. Insurance

Following the annual risk assessment the Council will review the level of insurance cover and ensure it is adequate and appropriate for the activities of the Council. Minimum cover will include Public Liability, Employer’s Liability, Money and Fidelity guarantee.

13. Freedom of Information

13.1. The Council is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and has adopted the Model Publication Scheme for Parish Councils. The Clerk is responsible for advising the Council on its obligations under the Act to allow public access to all information held by the Council. These will mainly be met by the publication of the minutes of Council meetings, together with financial and other documents and data, on the Parish Council Website.

13.2. Procedure for Handling Requests for Information

The Act requires that, when a request for information is received, a response must be provided within 20 days. To ensure that this deadline is met and that the response is properly authorised by the Parish Council, any Councillor receiving such a request must pass it to the Parish Clerk without delay. The parish clerk will then liaise with councillors and/or other persons or groups in the Parish as necessary to provide a complete and accurate response, and ensure that: –

  • The proposed response does not contain confidential or sensitive information,
    such as personal data
  • The disclosure is in the public interest and not prohibited by law
  • The response is sent to the applicant within the time allowed by the Act
  • The chairman of the Parish Council or, in his/her absence, the vice-chairman is
    kept informed throughout
  • The request and its outcome are reported to the Parish Council at its next
    meeting
  • Any subsequent correspondence and/or requests for information are dealt
    with in the same way.
  • A record of all requests for information and their outcome is maintained

13.3. Complaints Procedure Relating to Requests for Information

If a complaint is received about the handling of a request for information under the Act, this should be dealt with by the chairman of the Council or, in his/her absence, the vice-chairman. The complaint should be reviewed in accordance with the Part VI of the Code of Practice issued under Section 45 of the Act and a response provided to the complainant within the time specified in the Parish Council Complaints Procedure. The nature of the complaint and its outcome should then be reported to the Parish Council at its next Meeting.

14. Alleged Breaches of the Council’s Code of Conduct

In accordance with Herefordshire Council’s Complaints Procedure, any allegation of a breach of the Code of Conduct shall be reported by the Clerk to the Monitoring Officer of Herefordshire Council in writing without delay. Insofar as the law allows, the subject matter of the complaint shall be treated as confidential.

15. Standing Orders

15.1. These and any other standing orders will be reviewed annually by the clerk and the chairman, and any amendments will be decided by the Council.

15.2. During the course of meetings of the Council, the chairman’s decision as to the interpretation of the Standing Orders will be final. In cases of doubt, the Council will seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer of Herefordshire Council.

15.3. With the exception of those Standing Orders that are mandatory by law, the Council may resolve to suspend one or more Standing Orders temporarily during a meeting. Any such decision will be recorded in the minutes. Any permanent amendment or revocation of one or more of these Standing Orders not mandatory by law may only be approved by vote of not less than two-thirds of the full Council.

16. Review of Standing Orders.
The Parish Council will review these Standing Orders at least annually from 8th February 2016