The Parish Council has several policies that guide behaviour and outline how decisions should be made in different circumstances.
These provides guidance to different questions that you might ask together with transparency and accountability, two very important principles of local government.
Organisational and Governance Policies
Policies are reviewed and updated if council activities change, and annually by the Full Council at the Annual Parish Council Meeting in May.
Standing orders are the written rules of the Parish Council and regulate the proceedings, procedures, and meetings. A council may also use standing orders to confirm or refer to internal organisational and administrative arrangements. The standing orders of a council are not the same as its policies, but standing orders may refer to them.
This policy openly commits councillors to adopt behaviours and responsibilities associated with the role and to be held accountable.
The financial regulations govern the council's financial management and may be amended or varied only by a resolution of the council. Financial regulations are one of the council’s three governing policy documents, providing procedural guidance for members and officers. Financial regulations must be observed in conjunction with the council’s standing orders.
The Data Protection Act sets out standards for the handling of personal information and protecting individuals’ rights to privacy. This Policy details and regulates how the Parish Council collects, handles and uses personal data.
The Parish Council resolved to adopt the Model Publication Scheme to provide information requested by members of the public. This Policy outlines the Council’s policy for the publication of information and its procedures for responses to requests for information.
The Parish Council recognises that urgent decisions may arise between scheduled meetings and, therefore, has designed this Scheme of Delegation to ensure that the Parish Council is managed effectively.
This policy outlines the procedures for permitted Town and Parish Councils to exercise the power to co-opt a person onto the Council to fill a casual vacancy when the requirements to hold an election have not been met (i.e. the vacancy has been the subject of a public notice and fewer than 10 registered electors have requested an election by a deadline date specified by the Dorset Council Returning Officer).
The Parish Council has the legal powers to award grants to benefit some or all the residents of the Parish area, and where the benefit obtained is commensurate with expenditure incurred, as per Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972. Please review the policy's terms and conditions before applying.
The Parish Council will commit to achieving equality of opportunity, valuing diversity in all aspects of its work, and providing an inclusive and supportive environment for all.
The Parish Council is responsible for ensuring the safety of everyone associated with it—whether visitors, staff, volunteers, or contractors. It commits to providing safe working conditions, proper equipment, and effective systems, along with necessary training and supervision. Responsibilities for safety, risk assessments, and policy implementation are outlined below.
The Parish Council relies on information technology to oversee its activities, communication, and record-keeping. This policy outlines the proper use and safeguarding of these systems, ensuring that information is managed securely and complies with legal standards. It should be read together with the Council’s Data Protection Policy and Financial Regulations.
Service Specific Policies
The Parish Councillors are responsible for serving as the Parish Planning Officer and for making recommendations on planning applications to the full Council in line with this policy.