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New Councillor Induction

This page provides links to all the useful documents for a New Councillor. Some are for information, others are for completion on joining the Parish Council.  In addition to this, all councillors are expected to attend an SPCA Councillor Introduction Course.  (Online over Zoom)  N.B. As per the Training Policy, Councillors must pay for any training they fail to attend.

Last Updated: May 2026

Forms to complete or information needed on joining or if details change.

  1. Co-option Eligibility Declaration (Only for co-opted Councillors)
  2. Declaration of acceptance of Office
  3. Register of Pecuniary Interests Form (2023) It is recommended that councillors complete this electronically, keep a copy on their own computer and send a copy to the clerk. This means it is easier to update if circumstances change. The forms must be physically signed (i.e. no scanned signatures)
  4. Councillor Contact Details Form & Consent Form – Please download, complete and return it to the Parish Clerk
  5. Committee and Working Group Memberships 2026-27 – Let the clerk know which committees and working groups you are interested in joining.
  6. Current Councillors – A photo will be taken and your details added to the website.  Once this is done, please check your details & memberships are correct. If you would like to add some extra information about yourself, please email the details to clerk@bilbrookparishcouncil.gov.uk.

Information Bilbrook Information / Documents

  1. Meeting Dates – These are subject to change
  2. Agenda Request Form: For councillors to request an agenda item.
  3. Minutes of previous meetings (Link to website)
  4. Policies, Procedures & terms of reference (Committees/Working groups) including:
    • The Code of Conduct
    • The Standing Orders
    • The Financial Regulations
  5. Dispensation Procedure & Form (Sept 2025) Enables Councillors to take part in a discussion in which they have an interest. It is recommended that you complete it electronically and keep an electronic copy for ease of updating.
  6. Council Finances including:
    • Budget Summary
    • The Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR)
  7. Transparency Code for Smaller Councils (Adopted as best practice)
  8. As a member of NALC, councillors can access a wealth of information. Please register with NALC
  9. Parish Staff – The Parish Council currently employs 7 part-time staff
  10. The Parish Office address and opening hours – These can be found at the bottom of the page on the Parish Council website. www.bilbrookparishcouncil.gov.uk
  11. Bilbrook Parish Council has the General Power of Competence until May 2027
  12. Planning – All planning applications can be found on the District Council Planning Portal. It is recommended that you set up an account and track Bilbrook’s planning applications. https://planning.sstaffs.gov.uk/online-applications/   Bilbrook Planning Overview
  13. WhatsApp Usage Protocol
  14. The email addresses for Bilbrook Parish Councillors follow a standardised format consisting of the councillor’s first initial, followed by a full stop and their surname, using the official domain: @cllr.bilbrookparishcouncil.gov.uk.  For example, the email address for Councillor John Smith would be j.smith@cllr.bilbrookparishcouncil.gov.uk.   Emails can be access via the following website. www.stackmail.com    Instructions will be provided on how to set the emails up to access them from your phone or home computer.
  15. Jargon Buster
  16. General Power of Competency (GPC)

Parish Maps

Bilbrook is bigger than most people realise!

Google Map

Ward Map

The Good Councillor Guide 2024 (You should also have a hard copy of this)