the risk of having a contested election as this is a democratic process and should not be stifled. VAT Re-claiming/charging L The Council has Financial Regulations which set out the Existing procedure adequate requirements Annual Return Submit within time limits L Employer’s Annual Return is completed and submitted Existing procedures adequate online and to the Inland Revenue within the prescribed time frame by the Clerk. Annual Return is completed and signed by the Council, submitted to the internal auditor for completion and signing then checked and sent on to the External Auditor within time limit. Legal Powers Illegal activity or L All activity and payments within the powers of the Parish Powers are advised by the payments Council to be resolved and minuted at Full Parish Council Clerk to Council. Powers are Meetings, including a reference to the power used. available for councillors in the Members’ Handbook Minutes/Agendas/Notices Accuracy and legality L Minutes and agenda are produced in the prescribed Existing procedure adequate. Statutory Documents method by the Clerk and adhere to the legal requirements. Guidance/training to Chair Minutes are approved and signed at the next Council should be given (if required). meeting. Minutes and agenda are displayed according to the legal requirements. Business conduct L Business conducted at Council meetings should be Members to adhere to Code managed by the Chair. of Conduct. Members interests Conflict of interest L Although not a requirement, the declaring of interests by Existing procedure adequate. members at a meeting should be an obvious process to remind Councillors of their duty and should remain on the agenda. Register of Members M Register of Members Interest should be reviewed Members take responsibility interests regularly by Councillors. to update their Register. Insurance Adequacy L An annual review is undertaken (before the time of the Existing procedure adequate. policy renewal) of all insurance arrangements in place. Cost L Employers and Employee liability insurance is a necessity Review insurance provision and must be paid for. annually. Compliance L Ensure compliance measures are in place. Review of compliance. Fidelity Guarantee M Ensure Fidelity checks are in Data protection Policy L The Council is registered with the Data Protection Agency Ensure annual review of Provision registration Freedom of Information Policy L The Council has a model publication scheme for Local Monitor and report any Act Councils in place. impacts of requests made Provision M There have been no requests for information to date but under the F of I Act. the Clerk is aware that if a substantial request arrives then this may require many hours of additional work. The Council is able to request a fee if the work will take more
the risk of having a contested election as this is a democratic process and should not be stifled. VAT Re-claiming/charging L The Council has Financial Regulations which set out the requirements Existing procedure adequate Annual Return Submit within time limits L Employer’s Annual Return is completed and submitted online and to the Inland Revenue within the prescribed time frame by the Clerk. Annual Return is completed and signed by the Council, submitted to the internal auditor for completion and signing then checked and sent on to the External Auditor within time limit. Existing procedures adequate Legal Powers Illegal activity or payments L All activity and payments within the powers of the Parish Council to be resolved and minuted at Full Parish Council Meetings, including a reference to the power used. Powers are advised by the Clerk to Council. Powers are available for councillors in the Members’ Handbook Minutes/Agendas/Notices Statutory Documents Accuracy and legality Business conduct L L Minutes and agenda are produced in the prescribed method by the Clerk and adhere to the legal requirements. Minutes are approved and signed at the next Council meeting. Minutes and agenda are displayed according to the legal requirements. Business conducted at Council meetings should be managed by the Chair. Existing procedure adequate. Guidance/training to Chair should be given (if required). Members to adhere to Code of Conduct. Members interests Conflict of interest Register of Members interests L M Although not a requirement, the declaring of interests by members at a meeting should be an obvious process to remind Councillors of their duty and should remain on the agenda. Register of Members Interest should be reviewed regularly by Councillors. Existing procedure adequate. Members take responsibility to update their Register. Insurance Adequacy Cost Compliance Fidelity Guarantee L L L M An annual review is undertaken (before the time of the policy renewal) of all insurance arrangements in place. Employers and Employee liability insurance is a necessity and must be paid for. Ensure compliance measures are in place. Ensure Fidelity checks are in Existing procedure adequate. Review insurance provision annually. Review of compliance. Data protection Policy Provision L The Council is registered with the Data Protection Agency Ensure annual review of registration Freedom of Information Act Policy Provision L M The Council has a model publication scheme for Local Councils in place. There have been no requests for information to date but the Clerk is aware that if a substantial request arrives then this may require many hours of additional work. The Council is able to request a fee if the work will take more Monitor and report any impacts of requests made under the F of I Act.