Standing Orders

Interpretation

These Standing Orders are based upon the Draft Standing Orders for Local Councils published by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC)
1991, which have been adopted by this Council so far as they are not varied or inconsistent with the Regulations set out below.

In these Regulations words importing one gender include all other genders and the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

Powers and Duties of the Chairman

The person presiding at a meeting may exercise all the powers and duties of the Chairman in relation to the conduct of the meeting.

Proper Officer

The Proper Officer of the Council is the Clerk. The responsible Financial Officer of the Council is the Clerk. Other duties of the Clerk are to be laid down in their Conditions of Contract.

Quorum

Three members shall constitute a Quorum.

If a Quorum is not present when the Council meets or if during a meeting the number of Councillors, for whatever reason, falls below the Quorum, the
business not transacted at that meeting shall be transacted at the next meeting or on such other day as the Chairman may decide.

Voting

Members shall vote by show of hands unless the meeting decides otherwise.
If any member so requires the Clerk shall record the names of the members who voted on any question and how they voted.

The Chairman may give an original vote on any matter put to the vote and, in the case of equality of votes, may give a casting vote, even though they
gave no original vote.

Order of Business

The order of business shall be stated on an agenda paper, which shall be delivered to each member at least three clear days before the date of the meeting along with the summons convening the meeting.

Resolutions Moved On Notice

Except as provided by these by these Standing orders, no resolution may be moved unless the business to which it relates has been included on the Agenda by the Clerk.

Members may put an item on the Agenda by giving the Clerk written notice of the resolution at least seven clear days before the next meeting of the
Council.

Every resolution, amendment or recommendation shall be relevant to some subject over which the Council has the power or which affects its area.

Resolutions Moved Without Notice

Resolutions may be moved without notice on procedural matters, or to vary the order of business on the grounds of urgency. Such resolutions shall be put to the vote without discussion.

Rules of Debate

All remarks shall be addressed to the Chairman.

No discussion shall take place upon the minutes except upon their accuracy.

Corrections to the minutes shall be made by resolution and must be initialed by the Chairman.

A member shall, except as provided by these Standing Orders, only be entitled to speak once on any motion or amendment.

A member shall direct their comments to the question under discussion or to a personal explanation or to a point of order.

No speech by a mover of a resolution shall exceed three minutes and no other speech shall exceed two minutes except by consent of the Council.

The mover of a resolution shall have a right of reply not exceeding one minute.
The ruling of the Chairman on a point of order or on the admissibility shall not be discussed.

A representative of the local Constabulary shall be allowed to speak at Council meetings at the discretion of the Chairman.

Whenever the Chairman rises to their feet during a debate all other members shall be seated and silent.

Closure

A motion of closure of a debate may be moved at any time, but must be proposed and seconded without comment. The Chairman may refuse such motion if they feel that the question before the Council has not been sufficiently debated.

Rescision of Previous Resolutions

A decision (whether affirmative or negative) of the Council shall not be reversed within six months except by a special resolution, the written notice whereof bears the names of at least three members of the Council.

When such a resolution has been disposed of, no similar resolution may be moved within a further six months.


Confidential Business

No member of the Council shall disclose to any person, not being a member of the Council, any business declared to be confidential by the Council.

County and District Councillors

County and District Councillors who are not also Parish Councillors, shall be invited to attend meetings and be sent copies of agendas, minutes and other relevant documents. They may be allowed to speak at the discretion of the Chairman.

Length of Meetings

Except at the Chairman's discretion, all meetings of the Council shall finish not later than two hours after their commencement. Any business not transacted shall be carried over to the next meeting or such other date as the Chair may decide.

Suspension of Standing Orders

Standing Orders may be suspended for a specified period of time by
resolution.

Smoking

No smoking shall be permitted at meetings.

Standing Orders to be given to Memebers

A copy of these Standing Orders shall be given to each member by the Clerk upon receipt of the member's declaration of acceptance of office.

Financial Regulations

Orders for payment of money shall be authorised by resolution of the Council. Such resolutions on expenditure can only be considered where included as an agenda item of the meeting considering the expenditure.

Cheques in payment of amounts due shall be signed by the authorised members of the Council, who should add their initials to the counterfoil of the cheque. Invoices must be available, at the time of signing, to members signing cheques who should confirm the validity and amount of payment prior to signing. Cheques are to be signed at meetings at which the payment is approved.

A minimum of three members shall be authorised by resolution of the Council and shall include the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

Any two members of the Council authorised by resolution of the Council may seal documents on behalf of the Council. A document shall not be sealed on behalf of the Council unless its sealing has been authorised by the council.

If any member has a pecuniary interest within the meaning of Section 94-95 of the Local Government Act, 1972, in any matter under consideration by the Council they shall withdraw from the meeting while the matter is under consideration unless invited to stay by the Council.

In respect of the supply of goods or services or materials or the execution of works, the Clerk shall seek to obtain competitive quotations. For values of £500 to £2000 a minimum of two quotations and for values of £2000 to £10000 three quotations are required.

Acceptance of quotations shall be by resolution of the Council. The Council shall not be bound to accept the lowest tender.

The Clerk shall supply to each member at every meeting a financial statement of payments made and received since the previous meeting of the Council together with a reconciliation between the accounts and the balance held in bank accounts.

The Council shall maintain a current account, in addition the Council may maintain deposit accounts as it deems necessary.

The Council shall approve written estimates for the coming financial year at its meeting in the month of December.

The Clerk shall maintain the accounts of the Council in the form prescribed by The Accounts and Audit Regulations 1996.

The accounts must be made available for inspection by the public for fifteen days prior to audit, by prior appointment with the Clerk. The accounts are to be available for inspection by Councillors at all times by prior appointment with the Clerk.

The Council shall maintain insurance cover for the risks it considers appropriate but shall, as a minimum cover, include for Public liability, Employers Liability, Money and Fidelity Guarantee.