Council policies and action plans
Standing orders and code of practice
The Parish Council works under a set of Standing Orders and Finance Regulations which lay out the way the Council operates. These are similar to an organisation's Constitution or a company's Articles of Association. They cover matters such as how meetings are convened, how business is conducted, voting, finances, etc. The current standing orders and Finance Regulations are available below. Councillors also have to comply with a Code of Conduct which covers issues such as integrity, objectivity and registering of interests.
- Financial Regulations (Approved 25th March 2024)
- Member Code of Conduct March 2024 (Approved 25th March 2024)
- Standing Orders March 2024 (Approved 25th March 2024)
Policies
The Parish Council has policies covering the relationship between the Council and the public and publication of information. The latter includes the means to obtain copies of information relating to the Council's business, much of which is on this website but which can also be obtained (at cost) in hard copy. The Council also has regulations concerning Council financial matters which are covered in more detail elsewhere on this website. The risk management policy is largely concerned with maintaining viability of the Council (e.g. financial security) but also includes risks related to legal compliance (e.g. data protection) and physical assets (e.g. notice boards). Data protection is covered by a separate page on this website but the policy can be read here as well.
- Complaints Policy (Approved 25th March 2024)
- Equality and Diversity Policy (Approved 25th March 2024)
- GDPR Policy March 2024 (Approved 25th March 2024)
- Health and Safety Policy (Approved 25th March 2024)
- Publication Scheme March 2024 (Approved 25th March 2024)
- Records Management Policy (Approved 25th March 2024)
- Risk Management Policy (Approved 25th March 2024)
Committees, task groups and their terms of reference
The Parish Council currently has two sub-groups: the Planning committee and Parish improvements task group.
♦ Planning committeeWhere a Planning application's comment closure date falls prior to the next full Parish Council meeting the Planning committee shall meet and circulate its recommendation to all Councillors, requesting confirmation of their agreement to forward comments to Cheshire East Planning.
♦ Parish improvements task groupThe aims of the task group are:
- To investigate, specify and prioritise proposed Parish improvements by virtue of need, benefit and cost.
- To make regular recommendations to the Parish Council (for approval of suggested improvements) and/or financial and other contribution.
- To project manage approved improvements to their completion.
Employment policies
Whilst the Parish Council only employs one person, the Parish Clerk, it still has a duty to provide its employee with appropriate terms and conditions of employment. To this end, the Council has adopted a grievance policy and a disciplinary policy. The grievance policy is only designed for relationships between the Council and its employee, members of the public with a grievance against the council must use the complaints procedure available above. The training policy is available here as it covers Councillors as well as the Parish Clerk.
- Training Policy March 2024 (Approved 25th March 2024)
Action plans
The current action plan for Hatherton and Walgherton Parish Council covers the period from 2021 to 2025. The plan includes a mission statement and objectives as shown below. The full action plan, available from the link below, contains detailed plans relating to a number of aspects for the parish ranging from planning and development to footpaths and communication.
1. Mission Statement:
To promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of the Parishes and to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive community.
2. Objectives:
2.1 To assist in the creation of a socially inclusive and economically viable community embracing all residents irrespective of age, culture, income, race or religion and which seeks to develop their well-being knowledge, understanding and mutual co-operation.
2.2 To provide high quality, efficient, cost effective and sustainable services.
2.3 To promote and encourage the provision of social, recreational and community educational facilities in the Parish appropriate to the normal activities of a rural Parish along with the protection, enhancement and maintenance of environmental and heritage assets.
2.4 To provide channels for the views and expressions of the Local Community and to be responsive to its needs and aspirations.
2.5 To liaise with and support Local Community groups and Associations.
2.6 To recognise Climate Change and implement measures consistent with carbon neutrality in 2025.
2.7 To support ecological enhancement and biodiversity
- Action Plan 2021-2025 (Approved 25th March 2024)