Terms of Reference May 2025 agreed

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North Petherton Town Council
Council and Committee Terms Of Reference
(including Delegated Responsibilities)
Approved and adopted by The Town Council 19 May 2025
Updated November 2025

The Terms of Reference aims to set out the responsibilities of the Council and
Its’ Committees and Working Groups

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How the Town Council Operates
1. These Terms of Reference provide part of the framework within which the Town
Council and its Committees make decisions (Standing Orders and Financial
Regulations are the other major governance documents).
2. Councillors agree to follow a Code of Conduct to ensure high standards in the
way they undertake their duties. A copy of this Code is available on the Town
Council’s website ( https://nptc.info/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2022-CouncillorCode-of-Conduct-agreed.pdf ) or on request from the Town Council office.
3. The Town Council, that is all the Town Councillors meeting together, meets
approximately every six weeks. The Town Council meeting is responsible for
setting the Town Council’s policies and making the major decisions. The Town
Council is the policy making body; all Committees should act within the policy
and governance framework set by the Town Council. Only a meeting of the Town
Council can approve policy or amend it.
4. The Council conducts the majority of its routine business through Committees.
The responsibilities of each committee are set out in this document and are
reviewed annually.
5. Members of the various committees, sub-committees and working groups are
appointed at the Council’s Annual Meeting (usually held in May) or when there is
a vacancy on a Committee or when a Committee etc is newly formed.
6. The Committee Chairs will be elected at the first meeting of the Committee
following the Annual Town Council meeting, or if the position of Chair becomes
vacant during the year at the first appropriate Committee meeting.
7. The civic year runs from annual meeting to annual meeting, that is usually May
to May. A schedule of meetings is compiled for the civic year and agreed by the
Town Council but may be subject to change in order to meet need and
circumstances.
8. Notice of meetings, including the agenda, will be published on the noticeboard
situated on Fore Street in North Petherton at least 3 clear days before the
meeting, (this meets the legal requirement of publishing the Notice in a
conspicuous place in the Parish). As the meeting schedule is subject to change
anyone wishing to attend a meeting is advised to contact the Town Clerk to
check the details regarding location, timing etc.
9. The rules to be followed for the conduct of meetings of the Council and its
Committees are detailed in Standing Orders.
10. Any Town Councillor can request an item to be put on the agenda for a Town
Council or Committee meeting. The decision as to whether or not the item shall
be included on the agenda will be made by the Town Clerk following consultation
with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in the case of Council or the Chair in the case
of a committee.
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11. All Councillors will be sent the agenda, by email, for every Committee meeting.
12. The agenda for Council and Committees will normally only include items where
decisions are necessary. Items for information will be dealt with by means of
Clerk’s Update, other emails or Chair’s Announcements at a meeting.
13. Council and Committee meetings will usually be open to the public to attend and
observe, however there will be occasions when matters will need to be
discussed and decided without the public being present e.g. if publicity of the
matter for discussion would prejudice the public interest.
14. The Town Council and its Committees, Working Groups and staff will endeavour
to work within the policy framework set by the Town Council and its Committees;
if the Town Council or a Committee makes a decision which deviates from an
agreed, existing policy the reason for the deviation will be included in the minute
recording the decision. If a member of staff makes a decision which deviates
from an agreed, existing policy the reason it will be reported to the next relevant
Committee meeting.
15. In these Terms of Reference * next to a specific responsibility listed for a
Committee indicates a delegated power – this means that the Committee can
make a decision and there is no need for further referral to Council.
16. All decisions will be made with due regard to the following principles:
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Legality (the Town Council must ensure its actions are intra vires)
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Financial prudence and value for money
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The management of risk in a proportionate and considered manner
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The exercise of power must be proportionate to the desired outcome
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Account will be taken of consultation with partners and the public
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Proper consideration of advice from Officers and professional advisors
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Respect for human rights, diversity and equality
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Environmental impact and sustainability
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Council, Committee and Sub Committee decisions will be made in public
whenever appropriate and possible
Specifically, decision makers will ensure that in arriving at a decision full and
proper consideration is given to:
•
The likely effect on crime and disorder and the need for prevention (Crime
and Disorder Act 198 S 17)
•
The Town Council’s duty to promote equality and diversity
•
Human Rights Legislation
•
Environmental impact and sustainability
•
Health and safety
•
Obtaining and delivering value for money

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FULL COUNCIL
Number of Members: 14 i.e., all Town Councillors
Frequency of Meetings: approx. every 6 weeks
Open to the Press and Public: Yes (unless a Resolution is made to exclude the press
and public for a specific item / specific reason)
Quorum: 5 Town Councillors i.e. 1/3 of the whole number of members of the Council
Overall Purpose / Scope: To provide strategic direction for the Council, determine its
policies and make its major spending decisions.
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To approve and adopt the decision-making framework, this incudes Committee
Terms of Reference, Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Schemes of
Delegation.
To approve the Terms of Reference for any Advisory Groups, Working Groups
or Task and Finish Groups (this may be upon recommendation from a
Committee)
To review the Town Council’s Committee structure and procedures as
necessary and define the number of Committees together with the number of
members appointed to each Committee.
To determine the functions, constitution and composition of Committees.
To deal with any matters not delegated to a Committee
To delegate to a Committee a specific task e.g. drafting a consultation response,
dealing with a matter raised during Community Time
To approve and adopt all Town Council policies
To set the annual budget
To set the precept.
To approve invoices for payment.
To make decisions on matters involving expenditure for which there is not an
existing budget provision.
To approve any expenditure (revenue or capital) which exceeds £5,000
To approve use of reserves (earmarked or general)
To approve budget virements exceeding £5,000
To receive reports of budget virements of less than £5,000
To provide effective oversight and scrutiny of the Town Council’s budget,
reserves and balances
To set the Town Council’s policy on borrowing for financing capital projects
To approve any application for the Town Council to borrow money
To write off bad debts
To approve the Town Council's banking arrangements including the approval of
account signatories and the bank mandate
To approve the lists of regular payments, payments by Direct Debit and
payments Standing Order
To approve the Annual Governance Statement
To approve the Annual Statement of Accounts
To appoint the Town Council’s Internal Auditor
To receive standard reports from the Internal Auditor and agree a response
To commission specific reports from the Internal Auditor
To appoint the External Auditor or agree the arrangements for the appointment
of an external auditor in accordance with the Local Audit (Smaller Authorities)
Regulations 2015.
To receive reports from the External Auditor and agree a response
To approve the Town Council’s insurance arrangements
To elect the Mayor and appoint the Deputy Mayor
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To appoint representatives to outside bodies and receive their reports
To approve the Town Council’s Schedule of Meetings
To confirm the appointment or dismissal of the Town Clerk and Responsible
Financial Officer (this may be on recommendation from any Committee
delegated to undertake the relevant process).
To agree the annual salary for any employees having regard to any
recommendations made by a relevant Committee.
To authorise staff termination payments.
To approve the content of any legal agreements, licences or leases for which
the Town Council is an interested party
To exercise the council’s power to direct as to the custody of parish property
and documents in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act
1972 Section 226.
To approve the acquisition or disposal of real property.
To consider legislation and the consequences thereof upon the council and
disseminate such information to all members of the authority and its staff.
To respond to consultations on strategic matters which impact upon the area
covered by North Petherton Town Council (this may include recommendations
from the relevant Committee).
To oversee the Town Council’s public relations activities.
To have overall responsibility for the Emergency Plan.
To decide upon matters referred by Committees.
To ensure that in respect of the Town Council’s work, decisions and activities
that full and proper consideration is given to the likely effect on crime and
disorder and the need for the prevention of crime and disorder (Crime and
Disorder act 1998 S17)
To ensure that in respect of the Town Council’s work, decisions and activities
that full and proper consideration is given to the Town Council’s duty to promote
equality and diversity
To ensure that in respect of the Town Council’s work, decisions and activities
that full and proper consideration is given to Human Rights Legislation
To ensure that in respect of the Town Council’s work, decisions and activities
that full and proper consideration is given to environmental impact and
sustainability
To ensure that in respect of the Town Council’s work, decisions and activities
that full and proper consideration is given to health and safety
To ensure that in respect of the Town Council’s work, decisions and activities
that full and proper consideration is given to obtaining and delivering value for
money.
To declare the Town Council’s eligibility for the General Power of Competence

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COMMITTEE RULES AND STRUCTURES
Note: the provisions in this section apply to Committees and Sub Committees
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The Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor shall be ex-officio members of all
Committees and Sub Committee’s with full voting rights
Each Committee shall be responsible for the election of Committee Chair.

All members of the council may attend all meetings of the Committees and speak with
the permission of the Committee Chairman but may not vote unless appointed as a
member of the Committee, ((the Grievance, Capability and Disciplinary Committee and
the Appeals Committee are the exceptions)
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If a Committee is not quorate then any Council member present at the meeting,
but not a member of that committee, can be co-opted onto the Committee and
have full voting rights for that meeting only.
Committees have delegated powers to make binding decisions on behalf of the
council as indicated in their delegated responsibilities provided that in all cases
the meeting is quorate. If the number of members present, not including those
debarred by reason of a declared interest) falls below the required quorum, the
meeting shall be adjourned and the business not transacted at that meeting shall
be transacted at the next meeting or on such other day as the Chair may fix.
Non-council members may be co-opted onto all Council Committees, SubCommittees and Working Groups at the discretion of the Town Council. Non
council members of a Committee will not have voting rights.
Expenditure on revenue items may be authorised by a Committee up to the
amounts included for that class of expenditure in the approved budget provided
that such expenditure does not exceed £5,000 (Financial Regulations 4.1)

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General Purposes Committee
Councillors No of Members: 7 Town Councillors including the Mayor & Deputy Mayor
as Ex Officio voting members
Frequency of Meetings: Every Two Months
Open to the Press and Public: Yes (Unless a Resolution is made to exclude the press
and public for a specific item / specific reason)
Quorum: 3 Committee members
Reports to: Town Council
Overall Purpose / Scope. To manage, maintain and improve allotments, the
Cemetery, the library, street cleaning, grounds maintenance and
the general administration of the Town Council.
Outputs:

Recommendations on allotments, bus shelters, cemetery, library and
public toilets policy
Decisions on allotment matters
Decisions on matters relating to the tenancy of former allotment land
Decisions on cemetery matters
Decisions on matters relating to the Christmas lights
Decisions on matters relating to the library
Decisions on matters relating to the public toilets
Decisions on matters relating to the provision of services for young people
Decisions on matters relating to the Maunsel Lock car park
Decision on matters relating to defibrillators and bleed kits
Decisions on invoices presented for payment

Specific Responsibilities:
i.
The care, maintenance and regulation of the allotments and the Cemetery.*
ii.
On an annual basis, review and set the Council’s fees and charges for the
cemetery and the allotments. *
iii.
To develop, fund and bring to fruition, projects for the improvement of the
allotments and the Cemetery.
iv.
To organise the Christmas lighting display.
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To establish and foster civic relationships with such bodies or organisations as
the Council may authorise.
vi.
To work with the local police and other relevant organisations with the aim of
reducing anti-social behaviour and criminal activities.
vii.
The care, maintenance and regulation of public toilet facilities in the town centre.*
viii.
The care and maintenance of Maunsel Lock car park*
ix.
The provision, care and maintenance of the town’s street furniture*
x.
The provision, care and maintenance of defibrillators and bleed kits
xi.
The care and maintenance of the floral enhancement of the town*
xii.
To approve invoices for payment.*

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To make recommendations to the Town Council on expenditure exceeding
£5,000 or where a budget has not previously been agreed by the Town Council
or where a virement is required for:
• The allotments
• The cemetery
• Street furniture
• Floral enhancements
• Christmas lights
• Maintenance of footpaths and communal areas
• Maintenance of public toilets
• Maunsel Lock car park
• Provision of services for young people
To make decisions on expenditure up to the value of £5,000 where a budget has
already been agreed by the Town Council (including budgets set as part of the
annual budget process) for *
• The allotments
• The cemetery,
• Street furniture including bus shelters
• Floral enhancements
• Christmas lights
• Maintenance of footpaths and communal areas
• Maintenance of public toilets
• Provision of services for young people
To comment on behalf of the Town Council on issues regarding public transport
and liaise with the appropriate organisations.*
To draft and review policies and make recommendations to Council regarding
policies which relate to topics that fall within the Committee’s remit
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that
full and proper consideration is given to the likely effect on crime and disorder
and the need for prevention (Crime & Disorder Act 1998 S17)
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that
full and proper consideration is given to the Council’s duty to promote equality
and diversity
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that
full and proper consideration is given to Human Rights legislation
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that
full and proper consideration is given to environmental impact and sustainability
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that
full and proper consideration is given to health and safety
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that
full and proper consideration is given to obtaining and delivering value for money.

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Planning and Highways Committee
(revised by Council 24.11.2025 Minute 147/2025)
Councillors No of Members: 7 Town Councillors including the Mayor & Deputy Mayor
as Ex Officio voting members
Frequency of Meetings: Monthly
Open to the Press and Public: Yes (Unless a Resolution is made to exclude the press
and public for a specific item / specific reason)
Quorum: 3 Committee members
Reports to: Town Council
Overall Purpose / Scope: To discuss in detail planning and similar applications and
the creation, diversion or closure of footpaths and bridleways
as they affect the North Petherton Town Council area, its
residents, businesses and visitors
Note: The Town Council is a Statutory Consultee for planning applications and as such
does not make the final decision on any application any decisions and comments
this Committee makes will be fed into the planning process. The appropriate
planning authority and will issue the decision notice (Planning Determination)
once their investigations into an application, consultation period and decisionmaking process have been completed.
Outputs: Comments / observations sent to the relevant authority on any matters within
the Committee’s remit.
Decisions regarding the provision, location and maintenance of salt bins
Decisions on matters relating to bus shelters
Decisions on invoices presented for payment
Specific Responsibilities
i.
To comment on planning applications on behalf of the Town Council to the
relevant planning authorities on planning applications, listed building consents,
conservation area consents and tree preservation orders within the area
covered by North Petherton Town Council or its adjacent neighbours where
there may be an impact on the Town Council’s area. *
ii.
To approve updates to the Cumulative Impact Assessment Flooding and
Transport documents
iii.
To comment on behalf of the Town Council with regard to creation, diversions
and closures*of footpaths and bridleways.*
iv. To make suggestions and recommendations, when requested to do by the
relevant local authority or developers for street names for developments within
area covered by North Petherton Town Council.*
v.
To make recommendations on behalf of the Town Council to Somerset Council or
other relevant organisation on highways issues such as parking, traffic calming,
highway improvements, maintenance of verges, drainage and gullies*
vi.
To make recommendations on behalf of the Town Council to Somerset Council on
issues regarding public rights of way, footpaths and bridleways*
vii.
Liaises with relevant organisations regarding issues relating to public transport*

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To consider information received by the Town Council in relation to Road Closure
Orders and makes relevant related comments to Somerset Council where there is a
likely to be a significant impact upon the town council area.
To comment on alcohol licensing applications on behalf of the Town Council to the
relevant organisations.
To make decisions on the provision, location and maintenance of salt bins (for
those being provided by the Town Council)
The care maintenance and regulation of bus shelters*
To approve invoices for payment.*
To draft and review policies and make recommendations to Council regarding
policies which relate to topics that fall within the Committee’s remit

Strategic Development
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To consider any consultations regarding the Local Plan and recommend a
response to Council
To consider any consultations regarding infrastructure and recommend a
response to Council
To consider any consultations regarding strategic level and recommend a
response to Council

Note: Any draft response for (i) to (iii) above should be cognisant of the operational
knowledge and experience of other Committee’s.
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To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that
full and proper consideration is given to the likely effect on crime and disorder
and the need for prevention (Crime & Disorder Act 1998 S17)
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that
full and proper consideration is given to the Council’s duty to promote equality
and diversity
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that
full and proper consideration is given to Human Rights legislation
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that
full and proper consideration is given to environmental impact and sustainability
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that
full and proper consideration is given to health and safety
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities that
full and proper consideration is given to obtaining and delivering value for
money.

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Resources Committee
Councillors No of Members: 7 Town Councillors including the Mayor & Deputy Mayor
as Ex Officio voting members
Note: If items pertaining to either the Grievance, Capability and Disciplinary
Committee or the Appeals Committee are to be discussed at the Resources
Committee the members of the Grievance, Capability and Disciplinary
Committee and the Appeals Committee will leave the room for those
discussions
Frequency of Meetings: At least Quarterly
Open to the Press and Public: Yes (Unless a Resolution is made to exclude the press
and public for a specific item / specific reason)
Quorum: 3 Committee members
Reports to: Town Council Overall Purpose / Scope: To make decisions and
recommendations regarding the budget, expenditure and policies regarding the
Council’s resources i.e. information and communication technology, staffing

Outputs:

Recommendations on a Draft Budget
Recommendations on medium and long term financial strategies
Recommendations regarding loan arrangements
Recommendations regarding the use of earmarked reserves
Draft business plans for capital projects
Decisions on Investments
Decisions on grant applications made to the Town Council
Decisions on invoices presented for payment
Recommendations regarding office accommodation
Recommendations regarding welfare matters (councillors and staff)
Decisions regarding councillor and staff training plans

Decision Making Power: as indicated by *
Specific Responsibilities:
Finance
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To oversee the strategic and policy issues affecting the Council’s
acquisition and development of information technology.
To provide effective oversight, scrutiny and monitoring of the Town
Council’s budget, reserves and balances.*
To recommend to the Town Council the budget and precept level.
To make recommendations to the Town Council regarding loan
arrangements
To make recommendations to the Town Council regarding the use of
earmarked reserves.
To undertake quarterly review of the Town Council’s expenditure against
the approved budget and to report to the Council highlighting any
variations.
To receive reports on the undertaking of bank reconciliations.
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viii.

To draft and develop the Town Council’s medium and long term financial
strategies for recommendation to Council.
To develop the business plans for capital projects for consideration by the
Town Council.
To review the draft Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR)
prior to consideration by the Town Council.
To consider and determine grant applications, within the agreed budget,
made to the Town Council including grants to the North Petherton Playing
Fields Charitable Trust.*
To approve invoices for payment.*
To ensure that funding opportunities and income generation opportunities
are explored and developed.
To manage the Town Council’s investments in accordance with the Town
Council’s Investment Strategy.
To consider matters referred by the Town Council.
To draft and review policies and make recommendations to Council
regarding policies which relate to topics that fall within the Committee’s
remit
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities
that full and proper consideration is given to the likely effect on crime and
disorder and the need for prevention (Crime & Disorder Act 1998 S17).
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities
that full and proper consideration is given to the Council’s duty to promote
equality and diversity.
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities
that full and proper consideration is given to Human Rights legislation.
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities
that full and proper consideration is given to environmental impact and
sustainability.
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities
that full and proper consideration is given to health and safety.
To ensure that in respect of the Committee’s work, decisions and activities
that full and proper consideration is given to obtaining and delivering value
for money.
.

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People Matters
(i)
(ii)

To approve a costed training plan which is within the Town Council’s
approved budget for training (for staff and Councillors)*
To approve the Council’s appraisal scheme*

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Grievance, Capability and Disciplinary Committee
Number of Members: 3 + 2 reserves
Frequency of Meetings: When required
Open to the Press and Public: Given the purpose of this Committee it is likely that a
resolution would be passed to exclude the press and public from the meeting.
Quorum: 3
Chair: The Chair of this Committee is the Deputy Mayor; this is an ex officio
appointment
Overall Purpose / Scope:
Specific Responsibilities
1. *To conduct grievance, capability and disciplinary proceedings, including the
determination of a sanction, in accordance with the relevant Council policy

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Appeals Committee
Number of Members: 3 + 1 reserve
Frequency of Meetings: When required
Open to the Press and Public: Given the purpose of this Committee it is likely that a
resolution would be passed to exclude the press and public from the meeting.
Quorum: 3
Overall Purpose / Scope: To determine appeals relating to grievance, discipline or
capability proceedings and adjudicate stage 1 pension
appeals:

Specific Responsibilities
1. To determine appeals relating to grievance, discipline or capability proceedings,
including the review of a determined sanction, in accordance with the relevant
Council policy.
2. To adjudicate Stage 1 appeals regarding pensions as set out in the Peninsula
Pensions Employers Guide to the Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure.

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Complaints Panel
Number Of Members: 3
(Note: there is not a standing membership for this Panel, it will be convened by the
Town Clerk in consultation with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor
with the membership to be drawn from all Councillors but to
include at least 1 Committee Chair)
Frequency Of Meetings Ad Hoc – when required
Open To The Press And Public Given the purpose of this Panel it is likely that a
resolution would be passed to exclude the press and public from
the meeting
Quorum 3
Overall Purpose / Scope To consider and determine complaints (including matters
relating to Freedom of Information and Data Protection)
Specific Responsibilities
1. *To consider and determine complaints about the Council’s administration or its
procedures.

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Cemetery Chapels Working Group
(Agreed by Council 25.03.2024 Minute 38/2024)
Councillors No of Members: 4 Councillors appointed by Council + advisors agreed by
the Councillor Working Group members e.g.
Conservation Officer
Mayor (Ex officio), Cllr Herbert (for building knowledge), Cllr Taylor (for research
skills) Cllr Hyde (for community engagement skills)
Frequency of Meetings: As an when required
Open to the Press and Public: No
Quorum: not applicable
Reports to: Town Council
Decision Making Authority: None
Overall Purpose / Scope: To identify potential uses for the Cemetery Chapels, the
costs that would be incurred and the viability
Outputs:

Recommendation to Council, in the form of a report, regarding the future
use of the cemetery chapels and the estimated costs and timescales to
implement the recommendation. The report to Council to include all
options considered and reasons any option was included for taking
forwards or discarded.

Specific Responsibilities:

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

Research chapel history
Identification of possible uses and restrictions of use
Obtaining evidence to support viability assessment of future use
Obtaining estimates for works to buildings etc to enable the potential
identified uses
Public consultation to seek ideas of future use and opinions of identified ideas

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Data Protection Working Group
(Agreed by Council 24.11.2025 Minute 155/2025)
Councillors No of Members: 4 Councillors appointed by Council + Mayor (Ex officio),
Frequency of Meetings: As and when required
Open to the Press and Public: No
Quorum: not applicable
Reports to: Town Council
Decision Making Authority: None
Overall Purpose / Scope: To review the Town Council’s policies, practices and
procedures in the light of the October 2024 Data Protection
Audit Framework (issued by the Information Commissioner
(ICO) ) and making use of relevant information provided by
the Internal Auditor
Outputs:

Recommendations to Council regarding the data protection elements of
any existing policies
Recommendations to Council regarding any new policies that are required
in relation to data protection and information handling.

Specific Responsibilities:
(i)
To provide direction and guidance across the Town Council for data
protection and information governance activities
(ii)
To undertake a pragmatic analysis of where the Town Council’s current
policies, practices and procedures by using the accountability selfassessment tool (part of the ICO accountability framework) and identifying the
key areas of risk,
(iii)
To make proportionate, risk based suggestions to improve or implement
policies and practices to reduce the risk of data protection breaches and
ensure that appropriate measures are in place to comply with data protection
legislation and best practice.

Note: in this context
Policy
The Town Council’s stated intention
Strategy
The plan, the “how” of implementing a policy

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Definitions
Action Plan

Targeted, detailed resourced and programmed activities to
achieve implementation of objectives

Aims

Broad brush statements of vision and intent

Annual Governance Statement A statement in internal control by the council required
by regulations which forms part of the annual return and
sets out representations and assertions intended to give the
public assurance about the way in which the council has
exercised corporate governance
Delegated Power

The decisions and actions that a committee is allowed to
make without reference back to a full meeting of the Council

Discretionary

A function or service provided by the Town Council, that is
not mandatory, but assists with the achievement of its aims
and objectives

Internal Audit

A function within, or procured by the council, which review
and reports on the effectiveness of internal controls
(Governance & Accountability for Local Councils)

Internal Control

An activity, process, system or measure to ensure that a
local council’s activities are carried out properly and as
intended (Governance & Accountability for Local Councils)

Mandatory

Compulsory compliance is required by the Town Council in
the performance of its duties in order to remain lawful

Objectives

Specific detailed goals to achieve the aims

Policy

What it is wanted / intended to do

Precept

A legal demand by a local council on its District Council (or
other second tier body) for operating funds to meet budget
needs. The precept is recovered from local taxpayers via
council tax

Priority

The rank / order of importance of the approved aims and
objectives

Procedure

The rules / steps that govern the implementation of the
policy
The action needs to implement a policy

Process

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Reserves

Balances of cash held for specific future purposes or
generally to offset risk (Governance & Accountability for
Local Councils)

Risk Management

The arrangements which a council makes to identify key
business risks, evaluate these and put in place measures to
reduce the risk or manage the consequence of it occurring
(Governance & Accountability for Local Councils)

Statutory

Duties required of the Town Council by virtue of the fact
they are set in statute

Strategy

How and when we put the policy into effect

Terms of Reference

provide information on the purpose and scope of a
Committee, Working Group etc

Virement

Approved transfers of expenditure from one budget head to
another (Governance & Accountability for Local Councils

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May 2025