MOTIVATING AND INFORMING LOCAL COUNCILS IN DERBYSHIRE.
Benefits of Membership -
Derbyshire Association of Local Councils
- Provides a value for money quality and responsive service to (195 of the 204 -
2009/10) parish and town councils in Derbyshire. - Runs from a small office in Wirksworth which is manned 5 days per week.
- Is funded by membership subscriptions augmented by income generated activities.
- Member Councils represented on DALC Executive.
- DALC Executive representation on the National Association of Local Council (NALC).
National Association of Local Councils
- Provides member councils via County Associations with legal advice from solicitors who are experts in parish and town council law and practice.
- NALC is in constant touch with Government and its agencies, representing the first tier and influencing Government policy.
- NALC has been tasked with the delivery of the National Training Strategy and management of the Quality Parish Status scheme (QPS) initiative.
Services to Member Councils
- Free legal and professional advice on all aspects of parish and town council business backed up by experts at NALC.
- Regular information circulars.
- A comprehensive list of specialist publications and best practice guidance, much of which is free.
- Those on e-
mail benefit from free immediate electronic circulation of information by DALC enabling clerks (70% of whom are on e- mail) to manage and disseminate this information more effectively. - DALC aims to respond to all messages within 48 hours.
- Free advice to Parish and Town Councils is normally provided through the Clerk; where there is a sensitive issue involving staff, then this advice can be channelled through a Councillor who has the authority of the Council.
- Discounted training fees for Clerks and Councillors.
The Good Councillor’s Guide says of County Associations:
“It is vital that your Council is a member to benefit from its services and keep abreast of changes affecting Parish and Town Councils”.
Clerks of Member Councils
- DALC recognises the key role of Clerks in the efficient and effective operation of their Councils.
- DALC has a highly qualified and experienced Secretary/Treasurer who also provides bespoke training for Clerks and Councillors.
First Tier Representation
- DALC provides representation of Derbyshire at District, County, Regional and National levels.
- We meet with our counterparts in the other counties in the East Midlands region, to ensure that there is a regional first tier structure in place to enable first tier representation on the Regional Assembly alongside Districts and Counties.
- Association Officers from across the region and country regularly meet to discuss ways of improving service delivery.
- DALC is involved in discussions with the other tiers in the County on issues such as QPS, Parish Charter and training, bringing first tier representatives into discussions with Officers and Members of the County’s Principal Authorities.
- The DALC Secretary/Treasurer is the Lead Tutor for the County Training Partnership, and is appointed by the ODPM as Secretary to the QPS County Accreditation Panel.
What is a Parish Council
Parish and Town Councils form the first tier of local government. Parish and Town Councils have powers to provide many services and facilities; contact Derbyshire Association of Local Councils (details below) for details. They represent grass roots views, and influence the decisions made by others on the way our communities are shaped and developed. Your Parish Council has the statutory right to be consulted on planning applications and will also be consulted on community and planning strategies.
The Conduct of Parish Councillors
All Parish and Town Councils are required to adopt a Code of Conduct, which individual Councillors must sign up to. This code demands that they must: declare their interests in a public register; not bring their Council into disrepute; leave the room for discussion on any item in which they have a prejudicial interest.
Serving Your Community
Parish and Town Councillors are elected en bloc every four years. Where a casual
vacancy occurs for a Councillor, there may be a bye-
To find out more about being a Parish Councillor and for a copy of The Good Councillor’s
Guide contact DALC -
Parish Councils and the Law
Parish Councils are statutory local authorities. They have an element of sovereignty and are not answerable to the other two tiers of councils in the county. They are governed by laws which dictate that they may not take a decision to spend money unless the matter is included on the agenda for a Parish Council Meeting. They must make decisions in an open, accountable and transparent way. Their accounts are subject to internal and external audit, the results of which must be posted on your notice board.
Each Parish Council is required to set a budget each year. To fund its budget the Parish Council sets a precept, which is included in your council tax, for financing the work they undertake in the community on your behalf.
It is recommended that each parish has a Parish Plan or Action Plan to identify and prioritise projects within the community. This ensures that your Parish Council is responsive to your community’s needs and aspirations. The other tiers of local government will be expected to take account of these priorities in their planning.
The Clerk to the Parish Council is its Proper Officer who often works from home in
a part-
Notices of Parish Council Meetings must appear on your village notice boards and it is good practice for contact details of Clerk and Councillors to appear alongside.
Councillors and Clerks are encouraged to undertake ongoing training as a commitment of office and to ensure that the Parish Council obeys the law and is effective in representing your community.
Parish and Town Councils in Derbyshire
There are 204 Parish and Town (first tier) Councils in the county. Together with Borough/District Councils and the County Council they constitute the 3 tiers of local government.
You and Your Parish Council
Your Parish Council – which is the same as a Town Council – usually meets at least 6 times per year and it is good practice to have a period for public question take at each meeting. In addition your parish must hold an Annual Parish Meeting which is a public meeting at which residents may raise any matter that affects the community. Your Parish Council is encouraged to publish reports on its activities. You have the right to inspect the Parish Council minutes and accounts.
Quality Parish Status
If it has achieved Quality Parish Status – the charter mark for Parish Councils – your Parish Council will have satisfied a number of tests including have a competent Clerk and regularly communicating with residents on its activities. A Quality Parish will have more influence.
Councils in Partnership
The Parish Charter sets the framework for the three tiers to work together to deliver value for money local services. The Parish Charter expects Parish and Town Councils to adopt a complaints procedure and to work constructively with Councillors of the other tiers.
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