Below is brief description of the roles within the Council and the responsibilities they have:
The role of the Council as a corporate body is:
- Is a corporate body who is a legal right in their own entity
- To serve the entire community in a fair and equal manner.
The responsibilities of the Council:
- Approval of policies, standing orders and other core documents
- Has a responsibility to comply with the adopted Code of Conduct and to abide by the Nolan Principles of public life
- Making lawful decisions
- Administration of the Councils financial affairs
- Conserving biodiversity
- Employing a Proper Officer (the Clerk) and the Responsible Financial Officer
- To review planning applications received and agree on the comments to report
- Discharging functions that give the local community services, facilities and amenities
- The Council must elect a Chairman
- To act as a responsible employer and comply with employment legislation
- To provide services and facilities when no other Council can
- Work in partnership with the Community, local authorities, and neighbouring Councils
The Council has a duty to:
- Appoint a Proper Officer and a Responsible Financial Officer
- Adopt a Code of Conduct
- Consider providing allotments upon request from six electors
- Maintain closed churchyards including keeping walls and fences in a good condition
- Appoint an internal auditor
The Chairmans Role is to:
- Ensure that the business on the agenda is considered during the meeting.
- To keep control of the meeting and to maintain order.
- Apply the standing orders that the meeting is subject too.
- Is to run Council meetings where he/she is in attendance.
The responsibilities of the Chairman are to:
- Formally open meetings they are presiding over
- Consider if there are any procedural reasons the meeting should not go ahead
- To decide points of order
- To get the meeting through the business on the agenda
- To control disorderly behaviour
- To declare the result of a vote
- To temporarily suspend or adjourn a meeting if necessary
- To close the meeting when the business has been concluded
- To work in close liaison with the Clerk to ensure the smooth running of the Council
- To ensure that effective and lawful decisions are taken
- Be fair and balanced
- Introduce agenda items and ensure all members know what they have to achieve and encourage participation
The Duties of the Chairman are:
- To preside over meetings
- To sign the minutes when they have been approved by Council
- To sign a separate declaration of acceptance of office when elected as Chairman
The role of the Councillor is:
- Contribute and influence formal decisions the Council makes
- To operate within the law and abide by the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council
- A Councillor must be elected, co-opted or appointed by the Borough Council
- In order to qualify as a Councillor you must you must be over 18 live with the Parish or area you wish to become elected to the Council, live within 4.8km of the border in any direction as the crow flies, or have a business interest in the area.
The responsibilities of an individual Councillor are:
- Serve their community as an individual
- Raise matters that the Council can formally decide to take action on
- Participate in the Councils decision making process
- A Councillor has to promote and maintain high standards of conduct when representing the Council
- Be aware of and represent the views of the community they serve
- Consider in advance the agenda and any related documents received prior to the meeting
The duty of a Councillor is:
- A Councillor must complete a Declaration of Pecuniary Interests and submit this to the Proper Officer
- To attend Council meetings when summoned to do so