Committees
Given the volume of business it deals with, and the number of areas in which Council is granted the power to act, it is usual for Parish Councils to form committees to consider the various issues. Committees usually meet monthly (twice monthly in the case of Planning and quarterly in the case of Finance & General Purpose) and consider business relating to their respective areas of responsibility, as follows:
Additionally, the following committee meets on an ad hoc basis as and when required:
Planning and the Community Centre committees possess delegated powers, which give these committees the power to make decisions which bind the whole Parish Council. All other committees are advisory only, and all major decisions and expenditure must therefore be brought to full Council for approval. Committee notes are circulated to Council before each monthly meeting and this ensures that Council is fully aware of all minor actions and expenditure which committees are permitted to carry out under Standing Orders, as well as recommendations regarding major issues.
Members of the public are permitted to attend and speak at all committee meetings, and a 10 minute slot is allocated for this either at the beginning of each meeting, or before the relevant agenda item, at the Chairman’s invitation. Members of the public wishing to attend a committee meeting to speak on a specific topic are therefore asked to contact the Clerk in advance to enable an agenda to be prepared accordingly.
The Council also establishes sub-committees to deal with specific projects, currently the only additional committee is that which is progressing the Community Centre project. As is permitted by legislation, residents are able to be co-opted onto these committees to lend their specific experience and assistance in their work.
For further details of the Council's policies and procedures please click here.
The Armed Forces Covenant sets out the relationship between the nation, the government and the armed forces. It recognises that the whole nation has a moral obligation to members of the armed forces and their families, and it establishes how they should expect to be treated.
The Covenant’s 2 principles are that:
- the armed forces community should not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services;
- special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
The Covenant exists to redress the disadvantages that the armed forces community may face in comparison to other citizens, and to recognise sacrifices made.
The Armed Forces Covenant is supported by the Community Covenant and the Corporate Covenant. The Community Covenant encourages local communities to support the armed forces community in their area and promote public understanding and awareness. The Corporate Covenant is a public pledge from businesses and other organisations who wish to demonstrate their support for the Armed Forces Community.