Communications Policy
AIMS
- To establish clear, easy to use channels of communication between the Parish Council and the Parishioners, and vice versa.
- To provide information on important matters in an appropriate manner so as to facilitate and encourage informed comment from interested individuals and groups.
Introduction
Each Parish Councillor has a duty to represent, without bias, the interest of the whole community. They will endeavour to do their best and are available to help parishioners with regard to matters relating to the parish. They may be contacted through the Parish Clerk or by visiting the Parish Council Website and clicking on the following page link – meet the Parish Councillors
If the matter is important, then a letter /email to the Parish Clerk will ensure that this will be brought before the Parish Council and dealt with in a suitable and professional manner.
It is the Parish Council’s intention to comply with the schedule as below.
Parish Council Meetings
- The Parish Council will meet at 7.00pm (unless otherwise stated) and are held each month except August.
- The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will be the May meeting when Councillors will elect the Chair and appoint the Vice Chair for the forthcoming year.
- The Annual Parish Meeting will take place in April each year.
- Parish Council Committee meetings are held throughout the year and agendas will be published at least three days in advance on the Website, the Parish Council Facebook page and the village noticeboards.
- The Parish Council will meet at Heath Village Barn unless otherwise notified.
- A 15-minute discussion period for parishioners will be held at the beginning of the Parish Council Meeting.
Noticeboards
The following items will be displayed:
- The next Full Parish Council & Committee meeting date.
- The Parish Council meeting notices will be displayed a minimum of three days in advance of the meeting.
- Notices for Parishioners as and when appropriate.
Parish Council Website
The following items will be made available:
- Appropriate notices will be published as and when required.
- Approved Parish Council & Committee Meeting Minutes.
- Consultation information when required.
- Council policies and procedures.
- Meeting agendas & Minutes.
- Parish Council meeting dates for the year.
- Parish Councillor listing.
- Planning applications.
- The Chairman’s Annual Report.
The Parish Clerk will ensure that all Parish Council information included on the Website is regularly updated by passing relevant papers to the team involved in creating and maintaining the site.
Correspondence
- All correspondence relating to the parish should be addressed to the Parish Clerk in the first instance. This will ensure that the matter is recorded and passed to the relevant person or organisation as soon as practicably possible.
- All correspondence to the Parish Clerk will be acknowledged within one week of receipt.
- If a parishioner wishes a matter to be formally discussed at a Parish Council meeting, then the Parish Clerk must be notified at least 10 days prior to the meeting to enable the item to be placed on the Agenda.
Annual Parish Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting is held in April of each year. Parishioners can have the opportunity to listen to the progress of the Parish Council over the last year and have the opportunity to debate local issues and celebrate local events and activities.
Review
This document will be reviewed annually.
- Last reviewed on 3rd July 2023
- Next review due July 2026
Comments
Any comments or queries regarding this document should be made to the Parish Clerk.