Parish Council Meetings
Location & Frequency of Meetings
The Parish Council usually meet on the third Monday of each month except August. Meetings are held in the Parish Hall & begin at 19.30 pm. Approximately 20 mins before the meeting is formerly opened a session called Public Participation begins.
Public Participation
During Public Participation members of the public can ask questions or tell the council about the issues that concern them. An individual or group have approximately 3 minutes to talk about a particular topic. Due to time constraints especially if a large number of people who want to raise the same issue they may be asked to nominate a spokesperson.
If the matter is complicated or will take longer than 3 minutes to present to the council. The person or group may be invited to submit a written summary in advance to help the council fully understand the matter.
Once the council meeting has formally begun members of the public can sit listen to the debate. However they are not permitted to interrupt or speak directly to councillors unless invited. In certain circumstances person chairing the meeting can ask to ‘set down standing orders’.
When this happens then a member of the public can then be asked to talk to the council about specific points or provide extra details that might be pertinent to the debate. Once the person or group has responded the chair asks for the ‘standing orders to resumed’. This process is helpful where additional information will help the council decide how best to find a solution to the problem.
Agenda
An Agenda is prepared & published by the clerk at least 3 days in advance of each meeting. Copies are posted on the notice boards & the website. Notice boards can be found in the High Street and North Road. Contact either the clerk or a councillor to discuss how to add an item to an agenda.
Attending meetings is a great way to understand what is happening in your parish.
Resolutions
Decisions made by the council are called ‘resolutions’ & usually have to be proposed & seconded. The resolution is then put to the council as a whole & if all agree the clerk records this as a ‘unanimous decision’. Sometimes not all councillors agree in which case a vote might be taken.
During a vote a councillor might choose to support the resolution, object or abstain. A resolution can only passed if there is a large enough majority
Minutes
Minutes are the official record of the meetings that take place. Once the document has been approved it can be published. These documents are available on the website for anyone to view or download & alternative formats can be obtained from the clerk.
Iron Acton Parish Council web site home page
The Role of a Councillor
The role of a parish councillor is a voluntary one & elections take place every four years. The role can be interesting & varied & is open to anyone over 18 years old who lives in the parish.
Use either link below to view or download a leaflet that gives more detail about becoming a councillor