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POWERS OVER THE PARISH COUNCIL The Parish Council is an independent body. No other body has direct authority over it providing it acts lawfully in compliance with the requirements of the relevant Acts such as the Local Government Acts, The Data Protection Act as well as the Freedom of Information Act. In addition the Parish Council has voted to adopt the National Association of Local Councils, (N.A.L.C.) revised 2003 standing orders (of procedure and conduct). Local Councils are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman. Complaints may be submitted to the Standards Board for England where there is perceived to be a breach of the Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2001, particularly the sections dealing with prejudicial interest. MEMBERSHIP: The Parish Council consists of up to 9 members who are elected (if more than 9 apply) every four years, the current council dates from May 2003. There were only 8 candidates proposed to fill the available seats, so there was no election. The new council then co-opted one member on to the Council to make the number up 9. To be eligible to join the Parish Council you must be: a British Subject or a citizen of the Irish Republic or EU and be resident in the UK. At least 21 years of age on the day on which you are nominated. Either on the Electoral Register of the Parish or have lived or worked in the Parish or within 4.8 Km (3 miles) of the Parish boundary for at least the previous 12 months. The CURRENT COUNCIL: For current members click here. The Clerk of the Council is a part time employee of the Council. Many of his powers and duties are defined by Goverment regulations. He can, for example clear a disorderly meeting and call in the Police for assistance. The chairman and vice chairman of the Parish Council are elected by the other members every year. VACANCIES: New rules have come into force during 2005. Should a vacancy arise between elections a notice must be posted on the Parish Council notice board for at least 21 days to invite nominations for election. An election is likely to cost the Council about £750. To save this expense, the Council may co-opt new members from the candidates at its discretion unless at least ten members of the public request an election. If no candidates come foreward the Parish Council may co-opt new members of their choice onto the council. MEETINGS: The council must hold an AGM and least three ordinary meeting a year. Meetings are usually held in the Reading Room on the first Thursday of each month. If business allows the August meeting is omitted. (Notices of meetings with the agenda are placed on the Parish Notice board on the village green). Before the formal business of a meeting takes place members of the public may address the meeting and question the Chairman. If any question relates to matters in previous minutes of the council at least three days notice must be given to the Clerk so that he can have them to hand for the meeting. The District and County Councillors may also give their reports to the meeting. The agendas for the Parish Council meetings are set at the discretion of the Clerk who will consider any reasonable suggestion. During the formal part of the meeting the council make policy decisions on matters which have been previously announced to the public in the agenda. Under the heading of 'Planning Applications made to Braintree District Council' members will be asked for approval and comments on individual applications. More general topics may arise under correspondance, the more significant items for decision being added to the agenda of the following meeting. APPOINTMENTS to OTHER BODIES: The Parish Council appoints the Trustees of the Reading Room, some of the members of the Sports Ground Management Committee, the trustees of The Great Yeldham Educational Foundation and the Trustees of the Great Yeldham United Charities. PROPERTY: The Parish Council owns the land at Whitlock's Green, and the Burial Ground on the Ridgewell Road with about 2 acres of adjoining land to the rear (from 2007 known as the Yeldham Glades natural burial ground). The Parish Council rents the corner of Bowtell's Meadow which is used as a Children's Play Area. The Parish Council does not own the Reading Room or the Sports Ground. These are owned by their respective Charities. The Parish Council does not own the village green at the junction of Leather Lane and North Road. It is a registered common administered by the ECC Highways department as is the small green (with the Yeldham Oak) on the junction with the High Street. FINANCE: The principal sources of income to the Council are the Parish portion of the Council Tax, collected by Braintree District Council and the Parish Support Grant. Each year the Parish Council sets a precept in a form of a budget for the following year. This is then submitted to Braintree District Council for their scrutiny and approval. The accounts of the Parish Council are now subject to monthly auditing. CONTACT: The Clerk, Mr R.G. Liming, 62 Butlers Way, Great Yeldham, Halstead, Essex. CO9 . Tel or fax: 01787 237832. E-mail rliming@tiscali.co.uk

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