The legislation relating to Town and Parish Council Minutes is outdated. This guide is a broad introduction to that legislation which is more than 40 years old. The law on openness and transparency has recently been changed in a piecemeal manner.
This is leading to confusion as to the publication requirements of minutes amongst clerks, councillors and most importantly residents.
This guide contains limited practical guidance as it is intended as an introductory overview.
This guide is an introduction for residents, clerks and councillors. Much more detailed information is available on specific topics on other CPALC guides.
Article Contents - Click on a link below
- Legal Framework
- What are council minutes
- What are minutes used for?
- The legal standing of minutes
- Who takes the minutes
- Format of minutes
- Minute Production
- Inaccurate minutes - Perjury Act
- How minutes should be kept?
- Declarations of interest
- Recording the start and closing of a meeting
- Recording those in attendance and apologies
- Recording members entering and leaving a meeting
- Changes to the minutes of the previous meeting
- Approving minutes
- Signing the minutes
- Powers of chairman to record their disagreement
- Changes to approved minutes
- Completeness of minutes
- Decision and actions – Timing
- Approving expenditure
- Expenditure and Cheque signing
- Bank reconciliation
- Motions
- Recording decisions
- Reports
- Recording Principal Authority member input
- Recording suspension of meeting for unruly behaviour
- Excluding press and public
- Recording matters in closed session
- Recording names
- Archiving
- Publishing and Transparency
This guide is indicative and not definitive, it is not intended to be a comprehensive legal guide or a list of legal requirements.
Please Register, Login or Subscribe to read more...