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New Councillor Page

Councillor Induction Information

  1. Meeting Dates – These are subject to change.  We are also introducing an electronic calendar.

  2. Current Councillors – 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  The clerk will take your photo unless you would like to provide your own.

  3. Committee and Working Group Memberships – These are usually decided at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council  (N.B. It’s like an AGM but never call it the AGM!) This usually takes place in May. If you join partway through the year, please let the Parish Clerk know which committees and working groups you are interested in joining.

  4. Agenda Request Form For councillors to request an agenda item.  For new councillors, we usually suggest you wait a few months to understand how the council functions before raising an agenda request form.

  5. Minutes of previous meetings

  6. Policies, Procedures & terms of reference (Committees/Working groups) including:

      • The Code of Conduct

      • The Standing Orders

      • The Financial Regulations

    The three policies above are usually updated at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council in May, and the rest of the policies at the September meeting or as and when required.

  7. Register of Pecuniary Interests Form 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)

  8. Dispensation Procedure & Form 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.

  9. Council Finances including:

    • Budget Summary

    • The Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR)

  10. Transparency Code for Smaller Councils (Adopted as best practice)

  11. Expense Claim Form – (As referenced in the Expenses Policy)

  12. As a member of NALC, councillors can access a wealth of information.  You need to register on their website,https://www.nalc.gov.uk/     Our Local County Association is:  Staffordshire Parish Council Association.

  13. Please complete the contact from and return it to the Parish Clerk  Councillor Contact Details Form & Consent Form

  14. Parish Staff – The Parish Council currently employs 7 part-time staff

  15. The Parish Office – opening hours and contact details

  16. Bilbrook Parish Council has the General Power of Competence

  17. Parish Maps

  1. 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/   Below are additional links to useful planning guidance:

  • Planning Overview – For Bilbrook

  • Councillor Emails – You need to come into the office to set up your councillor email.