(A pdf version of this policy is available for download here)

INDEX

RULES OF DEBATE
DISORDERLY CONDUCT AT MEETINGS
MEETINGS GENERALLY
COMMITTEES AND SUB COMMITTEES
ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETINGS
EXTRAORDINARY MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL
PREVIOUS RESOLUTIONS
VOTING ON APPOINTMENTS
MOTIONS FOR A MEETING THAT REQUIRE WRITTEN NOTICE TO BE GIVEN TO THE PROPER OFFICER
MOTIONS AT A MEETING THAT DO NOT REQUIRE WRITTEN NOTICE
MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION
DRAFT MINUTES
CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISPENSATIONS
CODE OF CONDUCT COMPLAINTS
PROPER OFFICER
RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER
ACCOUNTS AND ACCOUNTING STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND PROCUREMENT
HANDLING STAFF MATTERS
RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION
RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION
RELATIONS WITH THE PRESS/MEDIA
EXECUTION AND SEALING OF LEGAL DEEDS
COMMUNICATING WITH UNITARY COUNCILLORS
RESTRICTIONS ON COUNCILLOR ACTIVITIES
STANDING ORDERS GENERALLY

National Association of Local Councils (NALC)
109 Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3LD

020 7637 1865 | nalc@nalc.gov.uk | www.nalc.gov.uk

© NALC 2018. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the written permission of NALC save that councils in membership of NALC have permission to edit and use the model standing orders in this publication for their governance purposes.

HOW TO USE STANDING ORDERS

Standing orders are the written rules of a local council. Standing orders are essential to regulate the proceedings of a meeting. A council may also use standing orders to confirm or refer to various internal organisational and administrative arrangements. The standing orders of a council are not the same as the policies of a council but standing orders may refer to them.

Local councils operate within a wide statutory framework. Standing orders incorporate and reference many statutory requirements to which councils are subject. It is not possible for standing orders to contain or reference all the statutory or legal requirements which apply to local councils. For example, it is not practical for standing orders to document all obligations under data protection legislation. The statutory requirements to which a council is subject apply whether or not they are incorporated in a council’s standing orders.

These standing orders do not include financial regulations. Financial regulations are standing orders to regulate and control the financial affairs and accounting procedures of a local council. The financial regulations, as opposed to the standing orders of a council, include most of the requirements relevant to the council’s Responsible Financial Officer.

NOTES

Standing orders that are in bold type contain legal and statutory requirements. It is recommended that councils adopt them without changing them or their meaning.
For convenience, the word “councillor” is used and, unless the context suggests otherwise, includes a non-councillor with or without voting rights.

1. RULES OF DEBATE AT MEETINGS

a. Motions on the agenda shall be considered in the order that they appear unless the order is changed at the discretion of the chairman of the meeting.

b. A motion (including an amendment) shall not be progressed unless it has been moved and seconded.

c. A motion on the agenda that is not moved by its proposer may be treated by the chairman of the meeting as withdrawn.

d. If a motion (including an amendment) has been seconded, it may be withdrawn by the proposer only with the consent of the seconder and the meeting.

e. An amendment is a proposal to remove or add words to a motion. It shall not negate the motion.

f. If an amendment to the original motion is carried, the original motion (as amended) becomes the substantive motion upon which further amendment(s) may be moved.

g. An amendment shall not be considered unless early verbal notice of it is given at the meeting and, if requested by the chairman of the meeting, is expressed in writing to the chairman.

h. A councillor may move an amendment to his own motion if agreed by the meeting. If a motion has already been seconded, the amendment shall be with the consent of the seconder and the meeting.

i. If there is more than one amendment to an original or substantive motion, the amendments shall be moved in the order directed by the chairman of the meeting.

j. Subject to standing order 1(k), only one amendment shall be moved and debated at a time, the order of which shall be directed by the chairman of the meeting.

k. One or more amendments may be discussed together if the chairman of the meeting considers this expedient but each amendment shall be voted upon separately.

l. A councillor may not move more than one amendment to an original or substantive motion.

m. The mover of an amendment has no right of reply at the end of debate on it.

n. Where a series of amendments to an original motion are carried, the mover of the original motion shall have a right of reply either at the end of debate on the first amendment or at the very end of debate on the final substantive motion immediately before it is put to the vote.

o. Unless permitted by the chairman of the meeting, a councillor may speak once

p. in the debate on a motion except:

to speak on an amendment moved by another councillor;
to move or speak on another amendment if the motion has been amended since he last spoke;
to make a point of order;
to give a personal explanation; or
to exercise a right of reply.

q. During the debate on a motion, a councillor may interrupt only on a point of order or a personal explanation and the councillor who was interrupted shall stop speaking. A councillor raising a point of order shall identify the standing order which he considers has been breached or specify the other irregularity in the proceedings of the meeting he is concerned by.

r. A point of order shall be decided by the chairman of the meeting and his decision shall be final.

s. When a motion is under debate, no other motion shall be moved except:

to amend the motion;
to proceed to the next business;
to adjourn the debate;
to put the motion to a vote;
to ask a person to be no longer heard or to leave the meeting;
to refer a motion to a committee or sub-committee for consideration;
to exclude the public and press;
to adjourn the meeting; or
to suspend particular standing order(s) excepting those which reflect mandatory statutory or legal requirements.

t. Before an original or substantive motion is put to the vote, the chairman of the meeting shall be satisfied that the motion has been sufficiently debated and that the mover of the motion under debate has exercised or waived his right of reply.

u. Excluding motions moved under standing order 1(r), the contributions or speeches by a councillor shall relate only to the motion under discussion and shall not exceed (3) minutes without the consent of the chairman of the meeting.

2. DISORDERLY CONDUCT AT MEETINGS

a. No person shall obstruct the transaction of business at a meeting or behave offensively or improperly. If this standing order is ignored, the chairman of the meeting shall request such person(s) to moderate or improve their conduct.

b. If person(s) disregard the request of the chairman of the meeting to moderate or improve their conduct, any councillor or the chairman of the meeting may move that the person be no longer heard or be excluded from the meeting. The motion, if seconded, shall be put to the vote without discussion.

c. If a resolution made under standing order 2(b) is ignored, the chairman of the meeting may take further reasonable steps to restore order or to progress the meeting. This may include temporarily suspending or closing the meeting.

3. MEETINGS GENERALLY

Full Council Meetings – FC
Committee Meetings – CM
Sub-committee Meetings – SC

a. (FC, CM, SC) 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. All meetings of St Stephen in Brannel Parish Council, including committees, shall normally be held in the Brannel Room, St Stephen at 7pm or on such dates, times and places as directed by the Council.

b. (FC, CM, SC) The minimum three clear days for notice of a meeting does not include the day on which notice was issued, the day of the meeting, a Sunday, a day of the Christmas break, a day of the Easter break or of a bank holiday or a day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.

c. (FC, CM, SC) The minimum three clear days’ public notice for a meeting does not include the day on which the notice was issued or the day of the meeting unless the meeting is convened at shorter notice.

d. (FC, CM, SC) 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. That resolution shall read “that under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, the public, representatives of the press and broadcast media and non-committee members be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest because of the confidential nature of the following business to be transacted.”

e. (FC, CM, SC) Subject to standing order 1(d), members of the public may make representations, answer questions and give evidence at a meeting which they are entitled to attend in respect of the business on the agenda.

f. (FC, CM, SC) The period of time designated for public participation at a meeting in accordance with standing order 3(e) shall not exceed (15) minutes unless directed by the chairman of the meeting. At the chairman’s discretion and with the agreement of the meeting, a member of the public may be invited to answer questions on matters of fact relating to the item under consideration by the council at that point on the agenda where the matter is being discussed.

g. (FC, CM, SC) Subject to standing order 3(f), a member of the public shall not speak for more than (5) minutes.

h (FC, CM, SC) In accordance with standing order 3(e), a question shall not require a response at the meeting nor start a debate on the question. The chairman of the meeting may direct that a written or oral response be given.

i. (FC, CM, SC) A person shall raise his hand when requesting to speak.

j. (FC, CM, SC) A person who speaks at a meeting shall direct his comments to the chairman of the meeting.

k. (FC, CM, SC) Only one person is permitted to speak at a time. If more than one person wants to speak, the chairman of the meeting shall direct the order of speaking.

l. (FC, CM, SC) The period of time designated for Cornwall Councillor reports at a meeting shall not exceed (15) minutes unless directed by the chairman of the meeting. At the chairman’s discretion and with the agreement of the council, subject to standing order 3d, a Cornwall Councillor may be invited to speak during any item on the agenda to make a short statement and answer any questions.

m. (FC, CM, SC) Subject to standing order 3(o), a person who attends a meeting is permitted to report on the meeting whilst the meeting is open to the public. To “report” means to film, photograph, make an audio recording of meeting proceedings, use any other means for enabling persons not present to see or hear the meeting as it takes place or later or to report or to provide oral or written commentary about the meeting so that the report or commentary is available as the meeting takes place or later to persons not present.

n. (FC, CM, SC) A person present at a meeting may not provide an oral report or oral commentary about a meeting as it takes place without permission.

o. (FC, CM, SC) 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.

p. (FC, CM, SC) Subject to standing orders which indicate otherwise, anything authorised or required to be done by, to or before the Chairman of the Council or relevant Committee may in his absence be done by, to or before the Vice-Chairman of the Council (if there is one).

q. (FC, CM, SC) The Chairman of the Council or relevant Committee, if present, shall preside at a meeting. If the Chairman is absent from a meeting, the Vice-Chairman of the Council or relevant Committee (if there is one) if present, shall preside. If both the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman are absent from a meeting, a councillor as chosen by the councillors present at the meeting shall preside at the meeting.

r. (FC, CM, SC) Subject to a meeting being quorate, all questions at a meeting shall be decided by a majority of the councillors and non-councillors with voting rights present and voting.

s. (FC, CM, SC) The chairman of a meeting may give an original vote on any matter put to the vote, and in the case of an equality of votes may exercise his casting vote whether or not he gave an original vote. See standing orders 5(h) and (i) for the different rules that apply in the election of the Chairman of the Council at the annual meeting of the Council.

t. (FC, CM, SC) Unless standing orders provide otherwise, voting on a question shall be by a show of hands. At the request of a councillor, the voting on any question shall be recorded so as to show whether each councillor present and voting gave his vote for or against that question. Such a request shall be made before moving on to the next item of business on the agenda.

u. (FC, CM, SC) The minutes of a meeting shall include an accurate record of the following:

the date, time and place of the meeting;
the names of councillors who were present, those who had submitted apologies to the proper officer and the names of those councillors who were absent;
interests that have been declared by councillors and non-councillors with voting rights;
the grant of dispensations (if any) to councillors and non-councillors with voting rights;
whether a councillor or non-councillor with voting rights left the meeting when matters that they held interests in were being considered;
if there was a public participation session; and
the resolutions made.

v. (FC, CM, SC) A councillor or a non-councillor with voting rights who has a disclosable pecuniary interest or another interest as set out in the Council’s code of conduct in a matter being considered at a meeting is subject to statutory limitations or restrictions under the code on his right to participate and vote on that matter.

w. (FC, SC) No business may be transacted at a meeting unless at least one-third (five) of the whole number of members of the Council are present and in no case shall the quorum of a meeting be less than three. See standing order 4d(vi) for the quorum of a committee or sub-committee meeting.

x. (FC, CM, SC) If a meeting is or becomes inquorate no business shall be transacted and the meeting shall be closed. The business on the agenda for the meeting shall be adjourned to another meeting. Delegated powers are given to the Clerk to arrange another meeting and deal with any emergency action arising from the meeting being inquorate and closed.

y. (FC, CM, SC) A meeting shall not exceed a period of (2) hours except by a vote of members at the meeting which will allow the meeting to continue for a further half an hour (30 minutes).

4. COMMITTEES AND SUB-COMMITTEES

a. Unless the Council determines otherwise, a committee may appoint a sub-committee whose terms of reference and members shall be determined by the committee.

b. The members of a committee may include non-councillors unless it is a committee which regulates and controls the finances of the Council.

c. Unless the Council determines otherwise, all the members of an advisory committee and a sub-committee of the advisory committee may be non-councillors.

d. The Council may appoint standing committees or other committees as may be necessary, and:

shall determine their terms of reference including the scheme of delegation;
shall determine the number and time of the ordinary meetings of a standing committee up until the date of the next annual meeting of the Council;
shall permit a committee, other than in respect of the ordinary meetings of a committee, to determine the number and time of its meetings;
shall, subject to standing orders 4(b) and (c), appoint and determine the terms of office of members of such a committee;
may, subject to standing orders 4(b) and (c), appoint and determine the terms of office of the substitute members to a committee whose role is to replace the ordinary members at a meeting of a committee if the ordinary members of the committee confirm to the Proper Officer before the meeting that they are unable to attend (the Proper Officer or their appointed deputy will contact a substitute member to request attendance);
shall permit a committee to appoint its own chairman and vice chairman at the first meeting of the committee;
shall determine the place, notice requirements and quorum for a meeting of a committee and a sub-committee which, in both cases, shall be no less than three;
shall determine if the public may participate at a meeting of a committee;
shall determine if the public and press are permitted to attend the meetings of a sub-committee and also the advance public notice requirements, if any, required for the meetings of a sub-committee;
shall determine if the public may participate at a meeting of a sub-committee that they are permitted to attend; and
may dissolve a committee or a sub-committee.

e. A member who has proposed a motion which has been referred to any committee of which he is not a member, may explain his motion at the discretion of the chairman to the committee but shall not vote.

f. A member appointed to a committee must have or be willing to undertake training which is relevant to that committee within a reasonable time of appointment (no more than six months).

5. ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETINGS

a. In an election year, the annual meeting of the Council shall be held on or within 14 days following the day on which the councillors elected take office.

b. In a year which is not an election year, the annual meeting of the Council shall be held on such day in May as the Council decides.

c. If no other time is fixed, the annual meeting of the Council shall take place at 6pm. The annual meeting of St Stephen in Brannel Parish Council is fixed at commencing at 7pm.

d. In addition to the annual meeting of the Council, at least three other ordinary meetings shall be held in each year on such dates and times as the Council decides.

e. The first business conducted at the annual meeting of the Council shall be the election of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman (if there is one) of the Council.

f. 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.

g. The Vice-Chairman of the Council, if there is one, unless he resigns or becomes disqualified, shall hold office until immediately after the election of the Chairman of the Council at the next annual meeting of the Council.

h. 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 annual 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 shall give a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.

i. 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 annual 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 shall give a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.

j. Following the election of the Chairman of the Council and Vice-Chairman (if there is one) of the Council at the annual meeting, the business shall include:

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 the Council of his acceptance of office form unless the Council resolves for this to be done at a later date;
Confirmation of the accuracy of the minutes of the last meeting of the Council;
Receipt of the minutes of the last meeting of a committee;
Consideration of the recommendations made by a committee;
Review of delegation arrangements to committees, sub-committees, staff and other local authorities;
Review of the terms of reference for committees;
Appointment of members to existing committees;
Appointment of any new committees in accordance with standing order 4;
Review and adoption of appropriate standing orders and financial regulations;
Review of arrangements (including legal agreements) with other local authorities, not-for-profit bodies and businesses.
Review of representation on or work with external bodies and arrangements for reporting back;
In an election year ONLY, to make arrangements with a view to the Council becoming eligible to exercise the general power of competence in the future;
To re-adopt the Code of Conduct;
Review of inventory of land and other assets including buildings and office equipment;
Confirmation of arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insurable risks;
Review of the Council’s and/or staff subscriptions to other bodies;
Review of the Council’s complaints procedure;
Review of the Council’s policies, procedures and practices in respect of its obligations under freedom of information and data protection legislation (see also standing orders 11, 20 and 21);
Review of the Council’s policy for dealing with the press/media;
Review of the Council’s employment policies and procedures;
Review of the Council’s expenditure incurred under s.137 of the Local Government Act 1972 or the general power of competence.
To appoint an Internal Auditor and Accounts Consultant; and
To receive the annual General Data Protection Regulations report.

6. EXTRAORDINARY MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL, COMMITTEES AND SUB-COMMITTEES

a. The Chairman of the Council may convene an extraordinary meeting of the Council at any time.

b. If the Chairman of the Council does not call an extraordinary meeting of the Council within seven days of having been requested in writing to do so by two councillors, any two councillors may convene an extraordinary meeting of the Council. The public notice giving the time, place and agenda for such a meeting shall be signed by the two councillors.

c. The chairman of a committee or a sub-committee may convene an extraordinary meeting of the committee [or the sub-committee] at any time.

d. If the chairman of a committee or a sub-committee does not call an extraordinary meeting within (7) days of having been requested to do so by (2) members of the committee or the sub-committee, any (3) members of the committee [or the sub-committee] may convene an extraordinary meeting of the committee or a sub-committee.

7. PREVIOUS RESOLUTIONS

a. A resolution shall not be reversed within six months except either by a special motion, which requires written notice by at least (5) councillors to be given to the Proper Officer in accordance with standing order 9 or by a motion moved in pursuance of the recommendation of a committee or a sub-committee.

b. When a motion moved pursuant to standing order 7(a) has been disposed of, no similar motion may be moved for a further six months.

8. VOTING ON APPOINTMENT

a. Where more than two persons have been nominated for a position to be filled by the Council and none of those persons has received an absolute majority of votes in their favour, the name of the person having the least number of votes shall be struck off the list and a fresh vote taken. This process shall continue until a majority of votes is given in favour of one person. A tie in votes may be settled by the casting vote exercisable by the chairman of the meeting.

b. Where more than one person has been nominated for a position to be filled by the Council, any councillor present may request that the vote will be taken by a written ballot of those members present and eligible to vote. The outcome of the vote will be verbally reported by the Clerk.

9. MOTIONS FOR A MEETING THAT REQUIRE WRITTEN NOTICE TO BE GIVEN TO THE PROPER OFFICER

a. A motion shall relate to the responsibilities of the meeting for which it is tabled and in any event shall relate to the performance of the Council’s statutory functions, powers and obligations or an issue which specifically affects the Council’s area or its residents.

b. No motion may be moved at a meeting unless it is on the agenda and the mover has given written notice of its wording using the appropriate form to the Proper Officer at least (10) clear days before the meeting. Clear days do not include the day of the notice or the day of the meeting.

c. The Proper Officer may, before including a motion on the agenda received in accordance with standing order 9(b), correct obvious grammatical or typographical errors in the wording of the motion.

d. If the Proper Officer considers the wording of a motion received in accordance with standing order 9(b) is not clear in meaning, the motion shall be rejected until the mover of the motion resubmits it, so that it can be understood, in writing, to the Proper Officer at least (10) clear days before the meeting.

e. If the wording or subject of a proposed motion is considered improper, the Proper Officer shall consult with the chairman of the forthcoming meeting or, as the case may be, the councillors who have convened the meeting, to consider whether the motion shall be included in the agenda or rejected.

f. The decision of the Proper Officer as to whether or not to include the motion on the agenda shall be final.

g. Motions received shall be recorded and numbered in the order that they are received.

h. Motions rejected shall be recorded with an explanation by the Proper Officer of the reason for rejection.

i. A written notice of motion shall not relate to any matter which may be considered under the Council’s Code of Conduct, Complaints procedure or employment policies.

10. MOTIONS AT A MEETING THAT DO NOT REQUIRE WRITTEN NOTICE.

a. The following motions may be moved at a meeting without written notice to the Proper Officer:

1. to correct an inaccuracy in the draft minutes of a meeting;
2. to move to a vote;
3. to defer consideration of a motion;
4. to refer a motion to a particular committee or sub-committee;
5. to appoint a person to preside at a meeting;
6. to change the order of business on the agenda;
7. to proceed to the next business on the agenda;
8. to require a written report;
9. to appoint a committee or sub-committee and their members;
10. to extend the time limits for speaking;
11. to exclude the press and public from a meeting in respect of confidential or other information which is prejudicial to the public interest;
12. to not hear further from a councillor or a member of the public;
13. to exclude a councillor or member of the public for disorderly conduct;
14. to temporarily suspend the meeting;
15. to suspend a particular standing order (unless it reflects mandatory statutory or legal requirements);
16. to approve the absence of Members;
17. to note the minutes of a committee or sub-committee meeting;
18. to allow an external body representative to report back to Council;
19. to adjourn the meeting; or
20. to close the meeting.

11. MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION

See also standing order 20.

a The Council shall have in place and keep under review, technical and organisational measures to keep secure information (including personal data) which it holds in paper and electronic form. Such arrangements shall include deciding who has access to personal data and encryption of personal data.

b. The Council shall have in place, and keep under review, policies for the retention and safe destruction of all information (including personal data) which it holds in paper and electronic form. The Council’s retention policy shall confirm the period for which information (including personal data) shall be retained or if this is not possible the criteria used to determine that period (e.g. the Limitation Act 1980).

c. The agenda, papers that support the agenda and the minutes of a meeting shall not disclose or otherwise undermine confidential information or personal data without legal justification.

d. Councillors, staff, the Council’s contractors and agents shall not disclose confidential information or personal data without legal justification.

12. DRAFT MINUTES

Full Council Meetings – FC
Committee Meetings – CM
Sub-committee Meetings – SC

a. (FC, CM, SC) If the draft minutes of a preceding meeting have been served on councillors with the agenda to attend the meeting at which they are due to be approved for accuracy, they shall be taken as read

b. (FC, CM, SC) There shall be no discussion about the draft minutes of a preceding meeting except in relation to their accuracy. A motion to correct an inaccuracy in the draft minutes shall be moved in accordance with standing order 10(a)(i).

c. (FC, CM, SC) The accuracy of draft minutes, including any amendment(s) made to them, shall be confirmed by resolution and shall be signed by the chairman of the meeting and stand as an accurate record of the meeting to which the minutes relate.

d. (FC, CM, SC) If the chairman of the meeting does not consider the minutes to be an accurate record of the meeting to which they relate, he shall sign the minutes and include a paragraph in the following terms or to the same effect:

“The chairman of this meeting does not believe that the minutes of the meeting of the ( ) held on [date] in respect of ( ) were a correct record but his view was not upheld by the meeting and the minutes are confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings.”

e. (FC, CM, SC) If the Council’s gross annual income or expenditure (whichever is higher) does not exceed £25,000, it shall publish draft minutes on a website which is publicly accessible and free of charge not later than one month after the meeting has taken place. The Proper Officer will make appropriate arrangements for the draft minutes to be published on the Council’s website within 5 working days after the meeting.

f. (FC, CM, SC) Subject to the publication of draft minutes in accordance with standing order 12(e) and standing order 20(a) and following a resolution which confirms the accuracy of the minutes of a meeting, the draft minutes or recordings of the meeting for which approved minutes exist shall be destroyed.

13. CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISPENSATION

See also standing order 3(u)

a. All councillors and non-councillors with voting rights shall observe the code of conduct adopted by the Council.

b. Unless he/she/they has been granted a dispensation, a councillor or non-councillor with voting rights shall withdraw from a meeting when it is considering a matter in which he/she/they has a disclosable pecuniary interest. He/she/they may return to the meeting after it has considered the matter in which he/she/they had the interest.

c. Unless he/she/they has been granted a dispensation, a councillor or non-councillor with voting rights shall withdraw from a meeting when it is considering a matter in which he/she/they has another interest if so required by the Council’s code of conduct. He/she/they may return to the meeting after it has considered the matter in which he/she/they had the interest.

d. Dispensation requests shall be in writing and submitted to the Proper Officer as soon as possible before the meeting, or failing that, at the start of the meeting for which the dispensation is required.

e. A decision as to whether to grant a dispensation shall be made by the Proper Officer and that decision is final.

f. A dispensation request shall confirm:

1. the description and the nature of the disclosable pecuniary interest or other interest to which the request for the dispensation relates;
2. whether the dispensation is required to participate at a meeting in a discussion only or a discussion and a vote;
3. the date of the meeting or the period (not exceeding four years) for which the dispensation is sought; and
4. an explanation as to why the dispensation is sought.

g. Subject to standing orders 13(d) and (f), a dispensation request shall be considered by the Proper Officer before the meeting or, if this is not possible, at the start of the meeting for which the dispensation is required.

h. A dispensation may be granted in accordance with standing order 13(e) if having regard to all relevant circumstances any of the following apply:

without the dispensation the number of persons prohibited from participating in the particular business would be so great a proportion of the meeting transacting the business as to impede the transaction of the business;
granting the dispensation is in the interests of persons living in the Council’s area; or
it is otherwise appropriate to grant a dispensation.

i. All councillors and non councillors with voting rights co-opted to serve on Council committees and sub committees must record in a register maintained by the Proper Officer any gifts or hospitality that he is offered or receives in connection with his official duties as a member and the source of the gift or hospitality worth £25 or over.

j. A Member of the Council may, for the purposes of his duty as a member but not otherwise, inspect any document which has been considered by a Committee or by the Council. The Proper Officer or Solicitor to the Council may decline to allow inspection of any document which is protected by other legislation or in the event of legal proceedings would be protected by privilege arising from the relationship of solicitor and client. All minutes kept for any committee shall be open for the inspection of any member of the Council during office hours.

k . A copy of the Councillors’ request and the decision of the Proper Officer shall be kept for the duration of the Councillors term of office.

14. CODE OF CONDUCT COMPLAINTS

a. Notification of any complaint shall remain confidential to the Proper Officer of the Council until such time as the matter has been concluded

b. Upon notification by the Unitary Council that it is dealing with a complaint that a councillor or non-councillor with voting rights has breached the Council’s code of conduct, the Proper Officer shall, subject to standing order 11, report this to the Council.

c. Where the notification in standing order 14(a) relates to a complaint made by the Proper Officer, the Proper Officer shall notify the Chair of Council of this fact, and the Chair shall nominate another staff member to assume the duties of the Proper Officer in relation to the complaint until it has been determined and the Council has agreed what action, if any, to take in accordance with standing order 14(d).

d. The Council may:

provide information or evidence where such disclosure is necessary to investigate the complaint or is a legal requirement;
seek information relevant to the complaint from the person or body with statutory responsibility for investigation of the matter;

e. Upon notification by the District or Unitary Council that a councillor or non-councillor with voting rights has breached the Council’s code of conduct, the Council shall consider what, if any, action to take against him. Such action excludes disqualification or suspension from office.

15. PROPER OFFICER

a. The Proper Officer shall be the clerk or other staff member(s) nominated by the Council to undertake the work of the Proper Officer when the Proper Officer is absent.

b. The Proper Officer shall:

at least three clear days before a meeting of the council, a committee or a sub-committee,

serve on councillors by delivery or post at their residences or by email authenticated in such manner as the Proper Officer thinks fit, a signed summons confirming the time, place and the agenda (provided the councillor has consented to service by email), and
Provide, in a conspicuous place, public notice of the time, place and agenda (provided that the public notice with agenda of an extraordinary meeting of the Council convened by councillors is signed by them).

See standing order 3(b) for the meaning of clear days for a meeting of a full council and standing order 3(c) for the meaning of clear days for a meeting of a committee;

2. subject to standing order 9, include on the agenda all motions in the order received unless a councillor has given written notice at least (7) days before the meeting confirming his withdrawal of it;

3. convene a meeting of the Council for the election of a new Chairman of the Council, occasioned by a casual vacancy in his office;

4. facilitate inspection of the minute book by local government electors;

5. receive and retain copies of byelaws made by other local authorities;

6. hold acceptance of office forms from councillors;

7. hold a copy of every councillor’s register of interests;

8. assist with responding to requests made under freedom of information legislation and rights exercisable under data protection legislation, in accordance with the Council’s relevant policies and procedures;

9. act as the Council’s Data Protection Officer;

10. receive and send general correspondence and notices on behalf of the Council except where there is a resolution to the contrary;

11. assist in the organisation of, storage of, access to, security of and destruction of information held by the Council in paper and electronic form subject to the requirements of data protection and freedom of information legislation and other legitimate requirements (e.g. the Limitation Act 1980);

12. arrange for legal deeds to be executed; (see also standing order 23);

13. arrange or manage the prompt authorisation, approval, and instruction regarding any payments to be made by the Council in accordance with its financial regulations;

14. record every planning application notified to the Council and the Council’s response to the local planning authority for such purpose;

15. manage access to information about the Council via the publication scheme;

16. retain custody of the seal of the Council (if there is one) which shall not be used without a resolution to that effect.

(see also standing order 23).

17. to action activities, sign notices and other documents including disclosures of interest at meetings or when instructed to do so by Council and in line with standing orders;

18. respond independently to unanticipated problems and situations, and where appropriate seek guidance on matters; and

19. have responsibility for physical resources including cleaning, maintenance and repair of a range of equipment and property, ordering and stock control of various supplies.

16. RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER

The Council shall appoint an appropriate staff member to undertake the work of the Responsible Financial Officer when the Responsible Financial Officer is absent.

17. ACCOUNTS AND ACCOUNTING STATEMENTS

a. “Proper practices” in standing orders refer to the most recent version of “Governance and Accountability for Local Councils – a Practitioners’ Guide”.

b. All payments by the Council shall be authorised, approved and paid in accordance with the law, proper practices and the Council’s financial regulations.

c. The Responsible Financial Officer shall supply to each councillor as soon as practicable after 30 June, 30 September and 31 December in each year a statement to summarise:

the Council’s receipts and payments (or income and expenditure) for each quarter;
the Council’s aggregate receipts and payments (or income and expenditure) for the year to date;
the balances held at the end of the quarter being reported and which includes a comparison with the budget for the financial year and highlights any actual or potential overspends.

d. As soon as possible after the financial year end at 31 March, the Responsible Financial Officer shall provide:

each councillor with a statement summarising the Council’s receipts and payments (or income and expenditure) for the last quarter and the year to date for information; and
to the Council the accounting statements for the year in the form of Section 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return, as required by proper practices, for consideration and approval.

e. The year-end accounting statements shall be prepared in accordance with proper practices and apply the form of accounts determined by the Council (receipts and payments, or income and expenditure) for the year to 31 March. A completed draft annual governance and accountability return shall be presented to all councillors at least 14 days prior to anticipated approval by the Council. The annual governance and accountability return of the Council, which is subject to external audit, including the annual governance statement, shall be presented to the Council for consideration and formal approval before 30 June.

18. FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND PROCUREMENT

The Council has established Financial Regulations for the governance and management of its finances and to meet the requirements of the audit and accountability regime in place at the time.

All payments by the council shall be authorised, approved and paid in accordance with the law, proper practices and council’s financial regulations.

The council’s proper practices will be in accordance with the most recent JPAG guidance.

19. HANDLING STAFF MATTERS

a. A matter personal to a member of staff that is being considered by a meeting of the HR committee is subject to standing order 11.

b. Subject to the Council’s policies regarding the handling of performance, capability and disciplinary matters, the Council’s most senior staff member shall contact the chairman of the HR committee or in their absence the vice chairman of the HR committee in respect of an informal or formal matter and this shall be reported back and progressed by resolution of the HR committee in accordance with its terms of reference.

c. The chairman and vice chairman of the HR committee shall upon a resolution and satisfactory training conduct a review of the performance and annual appraisal of the work of the Proper Officer.

d. All matters will be dealt with in accordance with the Council’s relevant policies and procedures.

e. Any persons involved in handling staff matters shall treat as confidential the written records of all meetings relating to their performance, capabilities, grievance or disciplinary matters.

f. In accordance with standing order 11(a), the chairman and vice chairman of the HR committee may have access to staff records referred to in 19(e).

20. RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION

See also standing order 21.

a. In accordance with freedom of information legislation, the Council shall publish information in accordance with its publication scheme and respond to requests for information held by the Council.

b. The Council, shall publish information in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government (Transparency Requirements) (England) Regulations 2015.

21. RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION

a. The Council may appoint a Data Protection Officer. Unless agreed otherwise, this will be the Proper Officer.

b. The Council shall have policies and procedures in place to respond to an individual exercising statutory rights concerning his personal data.

c. The Council shall have a written policy in place for responding to and managing a personal data breach.

d. The Council shall keep a record of all personal data breaches comprising the facts relating to the personal data breach, its effects and the remedial action taken.

e. The Council shall ensure that information communicated in its privacy notice(s) is in an easily accessible and available form and kept up to date.

f. The Council shall maintain a written record of its processing activities.

22. RELATIONS WITH THE PRESS/MEDIA

a. Requests from the press or other media for an oral or written comment or statement from the Council, its councillors or staff shall be handled in accordance with the Council’s policy in respect of dealing with the press and/or other media.

b. The Proper Officer has been appointed as the media liaison contact on behalf of the Council. In accordance with the council’s policy in respect to dealing with the press, public and/or other media, councillors shall not, in their official capacity, provide oral or written statements, letters or written articles to the press, public or other media.

23. EXECUTION AND SEALING OF LEGAL DEEDS

See also standing orders 15(b)(xii) and (xvii).

a. A legal deed shall not be executed on behalf of the Council unless authorised by a resolution.

b. Subject to standing order 23(a), any two councillors may sign, on behalf of the Council, any deed required by law and the Proper Officer shall witness their signatures.

24. COMMUNICATING WITH UNITARY COUNCILLORS

a. An invitation to attend a meeting of the Council shall be sent, together with the agenda, to the ward councillor(s) of the unitary authority representing the area of the Council.

b. Unless the Proper Officer determines otherwise, a copy of relevant correspondence sent to the Unitary authority shall be sent to the ward councillor(s) representing the area of the Council

25. RESTRICTIONS ON COUNCILLOR ACTIVITIES

a. Unless duly authorised no councillor shall:

inspect any land and/or premises which the Council has a right or duty to inspect; or
issue orders, instructions or directions;
make a decision on behalf of the Council; or
incur any expenditure on behalf of the Council or issue an instruction to incur expenditure.

b. Councillors must not use or attempt to use their public office directly or indirectly to put undue pressure by canvassing members to vote for specific individuals for any appointment or employment within the Council. If Council has knowledge of improper conduct in relation to a matter/appointment this will result in candidates being disqualified. However, a member may give a written testimonial of a candidate’s ability, experience or character for submission to the Council with an application for appointment.

c. Any candidate who is related to either a member or employee must disclose this information in writing to the Proper Officer. A candidate who fails to do so shall be disqualified for the appointment, and, if appointed, may be dismissed. The Proper Officer shall report any such disclosure to the Council or to the appropriate committee.

d. Any member may, for the purpose of his official duties (but not otherwise), inspect any public document in the possession of the Council or a committee or a sub-committee, and request a copy for the same purpose.

26. STANDING ORDERS GENERALLY

a. All or part of a standing order, except one that incorporates mandatory statutory or legal requirements, may be suspended by resolution in relation to the consideration of an item on the agenda for a meeting.

b. A motion to add to or vary or revoke one or more of the Council’s standing orders, except one that incorporates mandatory statutory or legal requirements, shall be proposed by a special motion, the written notice by at least (5) councillors to be given to the Proper Officer in accordance with standing order 9.

c. The Proper Officer shall provide a copy of the Council’s standing orders to a councillor as soon as possible.

d. A Councillor’s failure to observe standing orders more than three times in one meeting may result in them being excluded from the remainder of that meeting in accordance with standing orders.

e. The decision of the chairman of a meeting as to the application of standing orders at the meeting shall be final.

Standing Orders