Aims

  • To provide effective, efficient and accountable local government for the parish, enabling residents to be involved in the life of the community and its future development.
  • To be a strong voice for residents and local businesses, working to improve the overall parish area both built and natural, while preserving the uniqueness of heritage areas.

 

Objectives

  • To understand and communicate the views, needs and aspirations of residents and businesses to statutory and non-governmental bodies as required.
  • Increase public involvement in the community through ensuring the parish council and its activities are open, transparent and accountable to residents.
  • Support local business and economic activity in the parish.
  • Work with other Councils to provide safe, healthy and timely opportunities for recreation, leisure and education.
  • To support the work of parish voluntary organizations through grants and practical support
  • Respond to planning applications and other statutory consultations on time, ensuring that recommendations made to Shropshire Council adhere to the community plan, any statutory regulations, and the interests of the community.
  • Promote, within our community, activities which support the principles of environmental sustainability and an ethical society, working with others to keep public places clean and safe.
  • Ensure that Councillors and Staff have access to high quality training and development opportunities and that they meet all required standards, for example working towards achieving Quality Council status.

 

Community Governance, Community Leadership and Performance Management

The Parish Council is committed to ensuring it delivers best practice in a wide range of activities.

The Council has agreed statements on the following areas:

How it manages its finances and delivers value for money.

You can read the statement on value for money through this link.

How it provides leadership in planning for the future of the community.

You can read the statement on leadership through this link.

How it manages the performance of the Council as a corporate body and its staff to achieve its business plan.  (Also see section below)

You can read the statement on performance management through this link.

 

Civility and Respect

The definition of civility means politeness and courtesy in behaviour, speech and in the written word.  Examples of ways in which you can show respect are by listening and paying attention to others, having consideration for other people’s feelings, following protocols and rules, showing appreciation and thanks, and being kind.

The Parish Council has always demonstrated civility and respect in its dealings with councillors, clerks, employees, members of the public, representatives of partner organisations, and volunteers.

At its meeting in October 2022 the Council resolved to formally sign up to the Civility and Respect Pledge (the project in association with SLCC, NALC, OVW and County Association) and adopt the updated policy as this was the Council’s adopted practice.  The following statements were agreed:

  • Our council has agreed that it will treat all councillors, clerk and all employees, members of the public, representatives of partner organisations, and volunteers, with civility and respect in their role.
  • Our council has committed to training councillors and staff.
  • Our council has signed up to Code of Conduct for councillors
  • Our council has good governance arrangements in place including,staff contracts, and a dignity at work policy.
  • Our council will continue to seek professional help in the early stages should civility and respect issues arise.
  • Our council will continue to call out bullying and harassment when if and when it happens.
  • Our council will continue to learn from best practice in the sector and aspire to being a role model/champion council e.g., via the Local Council Award Scheme.
  • Our council supports the continued lobbying for the change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect Pledge, including sanctions for elected members where appropriate.

 

Climate, Sustainability and Biodiversity

The Parish Council summarises its position and activities as follows:

  • Being considered a thought leader in its local area and a source of information on carbon control issues in its community, educating and advocating on carbon control best practice
  • Showing local leadership, devising championing and implementing local community activities in support of best practice.
  • Managing the assets and activities it controls in accordance with best practice and publicising this exemplar work.
  • Advocating strongly for carbon control best practice measures with other authorities and with other partners to work together to support delivery.

 

Parish Council signs the  Tree Charter

The Charter for Trees, Woods and People sets out the principles for a society in which people and trees can stand stronger together. The Tree Charter was launched in Lincoln Castle on 6 November 2017; the 800th anniversary of the 1217 Charter of the Forest. The Parish Council signed the Tree Charter in summer 2018.

Understand the Tree Charter Principals through this link.

Read more about the Tree Charter through this link.

 

Parish Council Business Plan 2021 – 2025

The Parish Council has adopted a long term Business Plan to help direct its work.

A copy of the Business Plan can be found through this link.

 

Parish Council Annual Action Plan

The Council uses an Action Plan to help progress projects and will be the main way of telling you what we are doing to meet the needs of the community.

It is a two-way conversation.  Please tell us what you think about it. We welcome your comments.  If you require any further information that would help you understand what we are trying to achieve, please let us know.

We can also provide additional information on the issues raised in the Plan.

A copy of the Action Plan for 2023 – 2024 can be found through this link.

A copy of the Action Plan for 2024 – 2025 can be found through this link.

 

Parish Council Performance Reviews

The Council’s role is to have overall responsibility for the wellbeing of the local community and covers:

· Representing the community taking into account different interests.

· Delivering services to meet local needs.

· Striving to improve the quality of life in the community.

· In England, organising the annual parish meeting.

To deliver against these responsibilities, the Council needs to be able to identify the critical issues, eg its purposes and plans, financial resilience and quality of governance, and be able to review these at regular intervals.  The Council carried out its first Performance Review in July 2019 and updated it in October 2022.  A copy of the 2022 review can be found through this link.