Policies

Essentials of good governance for Local Councils - February 2024

A parish/town council must have in place the following documents: 

• Standing Orders 

• Financial Regulations 

• Employment contracts with the Clerk and other staff

• Terms of reference for all committees (Staffing Committee is essential)

• Code of Conduct 

• Register of interests

• Publication Scheme

• Complaints Procedure 

• Accessibility Statement on website (Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018)

• Transparency Code 2015 compliance for smaller authorities (below £25,000 and over £200,000)

• Employer’s Liability insurance

• Approved budget

• Asset Register 

• Declarations of Acceptance of Office for Councillors and the Chair.

Q. We are a small council – should we have any committees?

A. Yes. You are an employer and should have as a minimum a Staffing Committee with delegated powers to deal with staffing matters (the delegation should be clearly set out in Terms of Reference for the committee).  In accordance with ACAS guidelines you need to be able to make decisions regarding discipline, grievances, employment changes and the employee may have a right of appeal to either full council or another appeal committee.  Failure to follow ACAS guidelines may leave the council at risk of adverse judgements at Employment Tribunal if a case is taken.

Review to be undertaken February 2026