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Other pages in this section:
Affordable Housing in Glebe Close | | Bus Service Information | | Cemex Planning Applications | | Obituary for Bob Eaton | | Refuse Collection | | Relaxed Rules at Warwickshire's Recycling Centres | | SDC Community Initiatives | | School Holiday Activity Play Programme | | Stockton Skateboard Park | | Would you like an allotment? | | NSPCC Helpline | | Southam/Feldon Community Forum 23rd June | | Villager of the Year | | WCC's Community Development Fund | | Dogs and Public Rights of Way | | ERWIN - Support for Small Businesses | | Cemetery Charges | | Summer Survey of Parish Footpaths | | Keeping our grass verges in order | | Concessionary Bus Travel |
Stockton Parish Council has recently been awarded "Quality Council" status.
This is a government scheme that is intended to improve the quality of local governance and might mean that the Parish Council can take on functions from other local authorities that it believes it can run in a way that is more responsive to local needs.
The Quality Tests were as follows:
Test 1: Electoral Mandate
Parish councils must show that:
- on first accreditation only: at least 80% of all council seats were filled at the beginning of the current four year term by members who stood for election at that time.
- on re-accreditation: this has now been changed to 80% (previously 100%) council seats filled at the beginning of the current four year term by members who stood for election at that time.
This does not mean that there must be a ballot/election.
'Stood for election' for the purposes of the Quality Scheme means councillors must have been nominated and stood as candidates.
Where the number of candidates is the same as (or less than) the number of seats, then no ballot is held and candidates are automatically declared 'elected' by the Returning Officer.
In such cases at least 80% of councillors must have been nominated and prepared to stand at the last round of elections in order to pass this Test.
Test 2: Qualifications of the Clerk
The Clerk has responsibility for ensuring that the Council acts within the law - whatever the size of the parish. It is therefore vital that the Clerk possesses the necessary knowledge, skills and competence to carry out his/her duties correctly.
For accreditation as a Quality Parish Council, the clerk to the council must hold one of the following qualifications:
- Certificate in Local Council Administration awarded or
- Certificate of Higher Education in Local Policy or Local Council Administration awarded by the University of Gloucestershire.
The parish council should ensure that appropriate training and support is available to the clerk in order to help meet this Test.
Test 3: Council Meetings
The parish council meeting is where the council makes decisions, which will often have an effect on the local community. Regular, well-run council meetings are crucial if a parish council is to operate effectively and fulfil its role in representing that community.
The requirements of the Test are as follows:
- The council must meet on at least 6 occasions every year.
- Notices of the meeting must be publicly displayed at least 3 days before each meeting.
- Minutes of meetings must be available for inspection by electors
- Time must be allowed at each meeting for public participation.
Most of the above requirements are no more than is already required in legislation and as such, any parish council, of any size should be meeting the requirements.
Test 4: Effective Communication
To be eligible for Quality status a parish council must demonstrate that it is effectively communicating and actively engaging with the community it represents.
There are mandatory and discretionary elements to this Test.
The mandatory requirements are as follows:
- Publication of regular information, perhaps in the form of a newsletter at least four times a year, or reports in local parish magazines including
- Information on councillors and how they can be contacted, and
- An Annual Report, containing a summary of the end of year accounts
- Information must be readily available at public sites across the parish.
In addition, councils must meet at least 9 of the discretionary requirements. The list comprises activities such as sending newsletters/annual reports to each household, maintenance of a parish council website, email facilities, councillors' surgeries and consultation exercises.
Test 5: Annual Report
Publication of an Annual Report, including certain information, within a prescribed timescale and made readily available at sites across the parish.
Test 6: Accountability
Accounts prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations.
- Unqualified accounts.
- Adequate systems of internal control.
Test 7: Ethical Framework
Voluntary Adoption of the Code of Conduct applicable to Parish and Town Councils.
The requirements of these Tests concentrate on the accountability and openness of the council. All requirements of these Tests are mandatory.