Policies and Procedures
Standing Orders and Financial Regulations
The Parish Council must operate under certain procedures which are defined by legislation. These have been adopted by the Council and are set out in the Council’s Standing Orders and Financial Regulations which can be seen below.
In September 2021 the Parish Council adopted the latest model Standing Orders and Financial Regulations from the National Association of Local Councils. Minor alterations were made to make them fit Cottingham Parish Council’s needs and the final versions can be seen below.
Strategic Plan
The Parish Council has recently agreed a Strategic Plan for 2024 – 2027 which sets out aims and objectives as well as an action plan for 2024/5.
Blue Plaque Policy
The Parish Council has established a blue plaque policy to promote recognition of recognition and awareness of people, places and events which have been of lasting significance in the life of Cottingham or more widely. The Policy sets out the criteria and process for making a nomination.
GDPR Policy
Data Protection Policy March 2023
Freedom of Information Requests
Requests for information made via the Freedom of Information Act should be addressed to the Clerk. If you are not satisfied with the response received an internal review of the Clerks reply will be undertaken by the Chairman of the Council. If you are not satisfied with the result of the internal review, you should then raise a complaint with the Information Commissioners Office under section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act.
Complaints regarding Councillors
When Councillors become Councillors, they must sign a declaration of acceptance of office, which includes an undertaking to adhere to a Code of Conduct.
Cottingham Parish Council makes use of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Code of Conduct and we adopted the latest version in October 2021
Any complaints regarding the conduct of Councillors should be made in writing and addressed to Mathew Buckley, Monitoring Officer, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Beverley, East Yorkshire HU17 9BA or e-mailed to standards@eastriding.gov.uk.
Complaints regarding members of staff
Cottingham Parish Council has a Personnel Committee and any complaints regarding members of staff should be addressed to that Committee. The complaint will then be investigated using our internal staff disciplinary process.
Social Media
At the Full Parish Council meeting in July 2023, Cottingham Parish Council adopted the following Social Media Policy
Noticeboard Policy
At the Full Parish Council meeting in February 2023, Cottingham Parish council adopted the following policy regarding use of its noticeboards
Cottingham Parish Council Noticeboard Policy – 2.23
Emergency Plan & Getting Ready for the Unexpected
Cottingham Parish Council is currently (October 2021) in the process of rewriting its Emergency Plan and the new version will be posted here as soon as it is complete.
The Humber Local Resilience Forum has a document entitled ‘Get ready for the Unexpected’ which provides useful advice on preparing for and dealing with emergencies.
Humber LRF Get Ready for the Unexpected 2019
Privacy Policy
At the Full Parish Council meeting in February 2023, Cottingham Parish council adopted the following policy