Parish Council Constitution

Trawden Parish Council have adopted their new Consttiution as of April 2016

TRAWDEN FOREST PARISH COUNCIL CONSTITUTION

Trawden Forest Parish Council consists of ten councillors elected every four years. Pendle Borough Council maintains the Register of Electors. The Parish has 2 electoral wards:  Winewall Ward elects 4 councillors and Trawden Ward elects 6 councillors.

Trawden Parish Council's vision is "to ensure Trawden continues to be a vibrant semi-rural village with a strong community spirit, where everybody matters. The aim is for Trawden to be a prosperous, safe and attractive place in which to live and work for the present generation and for generations to come".

The purpose of the Council is to work within its statutory powers to maintain and enhance the village's public amenities, and to help the people of Trawden to improve their quality of life, in accordance with the Council's vision, and to work in partnership with Pendle Borough Council and Lancashire County Council.

The Council will exercise all its powers and duties in accordance with the law and this Constitution, and utilise its budget to achieve the greatest good for the community.

Councillors agree to follow the Code of Conduct, which until 2012 was overseen by the Standards Board for England.

The Council's administrative affairs are dealt with by the Parish Clerk who is a part-time employee of the Parish Council, and will normally fulfil the role of Responsible Financial Officer.

The Council meets in public on the first Monday of each month (excluding August) in the Village Community Centre except when this is a Bank Holiday, when alternative arrangements are made. 

Three members constitute a Quorum. 

Minutes of Council meetings are published on the parish notice board and website no later than 2 weeks following each meeting.

Voting at meetings is by a show of hands.  In the case of a split vote the Chairman has the casting vote.

Election to the Council will be by ballot of the electorate of the parish.

Where insufficient Councillors have been elected by ballot the Council may nominate at its discretion individuals for co-option to the Council so long as the total number of co-opted members does not exceed the number of elected members.

A person shall cease to be a member of the Council when having notified the Chairman in writing of their wish to resign.

The Council’s budget for the following financial year will be finalised no later than the February meeting prior to the start of that financial year.

At the Annual General Meeting held in May each year they will elect from their number a Chairman and Vice Chairman to serve for the ensuing twelve months.

The Council operates a freedom of information policy and publishes its agendas and minutes on the parish notice board and website. Any member of the public can inspect Council papers and attend Council or committee meetings. They may also inspect the Council's accounts and make their views known to the external auditor.

The Constitution may be altered and additional clauses added by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the Council present.