Cotherstone Parish Council

Our policies and procedures

The Parish Council is governed by many rules and regulations.

Some of the policies and procedures are set by legislation; others are determined by the Parish Council itself.

Standing Orders

Standing Orders are the written rules of a local council. They are used to confirm a council's internal organisation, administrative and procurement procedures and procedural matters for doing council business. They are not the same as the policies of the council, but they may refer to them.

A copy of the Standing Orders can be viewed and downloaded by selecting the button.

Financial Regulations

The Council has adopted Financial Regulations alongside its Standing Orders.

Cotherstone Parish Council last reviewed its Financial Regulations in June 2021.

A copy of the Financial Regulations can be viewed and downloaded by selection the button.

Planning Applications Policy

The Parish Council receives all planning applications relating to Cotherstone which are submitted to the Planning Authority — Durham County Council. The Parish Council's Planning Applications Policy sets out how such applications are dealt with.

A copy of the Planning Applications Policy can be viewed and downloaded by selecting the button.

Councillors' Code of Conduct

On first taking up their role with the Parish Council, all councillors sign up to a Code of Conduct.

A copy of the Code of Conduct can be viewed and downloaded by clicking on the button.

Grant Awarding Policy

The Parish Council awards grants, at its discretion, to organisations which can demonstrate a clear need for financial support to benefit the parish by: providing a service, enhancing the quality of life, improving recreation and/or sports, improving the environment or promoting the parish in a positive way.

Funds available are limited and guidance can be given to applicants as to how much money is likely to be available in a specific financial year.

A copy of the Grant Awarding Policy can be viewed and downloaded by selecting the button. A copy of the application form is also available to download and complete.

Publication Scheme

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the council must publish certain information about the council. Cotherstone Parish Council's Publication Scheme details what information is available, how it can be accessed and what charge, if any, applies to it providing this information.

A copy of the Publication Scheme can be viewed and downloaded by selecting the button.

Members' Allowances Scheme

Standardised basic allowances and travel and subsistence allowances for parish councillors have been recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel to apply across County Durham.

A report from County Durham Association of Local Councils is available to download, as is a report from the Independent Remuneration Panel meeting on 24 October 2018.

The Parish Council's Members' Allowances Scheme can be viewed and downloaded by selecting the button.

Public participation

Each meeting of Cotherstone Parish Council includes an agenda item 'Public Participation. Further information about this item, and how you could participate, can be viewed and downloaded by selecting the button.

Other policies

The following policies are self-explanatory from their titles and can be viewed and downloaded by selecting the relevant button.

Share by: