Powers and Duties of Parish Council

A local council is a statutory local authority in its own right, having a fairly wide variety of powers conferred by many statues. Although its powers are not as extensive as those of county and district councils, a local council should not be regarded as being subordinate to either of those tiers of local government. A local council, being at grass roots level, has an important role in the local government field, representing the community which it is elected to serve.

Standing Orders

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct applies to all members and co-opted members; all members sign up to it as part of their declarations of acceptance of office.

Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Publication Scheme

A Publication Scheme indicates the information which is provided as part of the normal activities of your Parish Council.

A new publication scheme has now been developed and approved by the Information Commissioner for adoption by Parish Councils to commence with effect from 1st January 2009.

The Parish Council have adopted the Model Publication Scheme to commence with effect from 1st January 2009. A guide illustrating the information available and how it will be published is detailed on the website (please use link below), local library or as a hard copy.

Policy and Procedures for Handling Requests for Information

The Parish Council adopted the Policy and Procedures for handling requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on 9th December 2008.

Parish Council Complaints Procedure

Councils are not subject to the jurisdiction of the local Ombudsman. However your Council has adopted a Code of Practice, as set out below, for considering complaints either made directly to the Council or through intermediaries acting on behalf of the complainant. This Code is a way of ensuring that your Council has in place the correct procedures to act on complaints received in an effective and satisfactory manor.

Dates of Meetings

Following are lists of the proposed meetings for 2008/09. Please refer to the Meetings Calendar for up to date details.

Committee/Working Party Representatives

The Parish Council have four committees, two of which are joint with Kibworth Harcourt Parish Council (KHPC). There are also two working parties, one of which is joint with KHPC.

The Parish Council have two representatives who serve on committees of outside bodies; the Village Hall Committee and Kibworth Grammar School Hall Committee.

Councillors are nominated to serve on the committees/working parties at the Annual Parish Council Meeting in May.

Terms of Reference for Committees/Working Parties

Reports to Annual Parish Meeting