Town Council

Number of Members:        15 i.e. all Town Councillors

Frequency of Meetings:   approximately every month

Open to the Press and Public: Yes (unless a Resolution is made to exclude the press and public for a specific item / specific reason)

Quorum: 1/3 of the whole number of members of the Council (Standing Order 1x)  

Overall Purpose / Scope: To provide strategic direction for the Council, determine its policies and make its major spending decisions.

Specific Responsibilities

1. The full Council is responsible for the approval and adoption of the decision making framework, this includes Committee Terms of Reference, Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, Schemes of Delegation.

2.  To approve the Terms of Reference for any Advisory Groups, Task and Finish Groups or Working Groups

3.   To approve and adopt all Council policies

4.  To set the annual budget

5. To set the precept

6.  To make decisions on matters involving expenditure for which there is not an existing budget provision

7.  To approve any expenditure which exceeds £5,000

8.  To approve budget use of reserves

9. To approve budget virements exceeding £5,000

10. To receive reports of budget virements agreed by Committees or the Town Clerk

11. To provide effective oversight and scrutiny of the Council’s budget, reserves and balances

12.  To set the Council’s policy on borrowing for financing capital projects

13. To approve the Annual Statement of Accounts

14.  To appoint the Council’s Internal Auditor

15. To receive standard reports from the Internal Auditor

16.  To commission specific reports from the Internal Auditor

17. To receive reports from the External Auditor

18.  To approve the Council’s insurance arrangements

19.  To elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor

20. To elect the Chairs of Committees

21.  To appoint the Vice-Chairs of Committees

22.  To appoint representatives to outside bodies

23. To receive the reports of its representatives on outside bodies

24.  To approve the Council’s Timetable of Meetings

25.  To approve the appointment of the Town Clerk and the Responsible Financial Officer (on recommendation from any committee delegated the recruitment process)

26.   To approve content of any legal agreements, licences or leases for use of the Recreation Ground and Britten’s Field or any other open space owned or managed by the Town Council.

27. To liaise with relevant organisations regarding issues relating to flooding as they affect Ilminster

28.   To ensure that in respect of the Council’s work, decisions and activities that full and proper consideration is given to the likely effect on crime and disorder and the need for prevention (Crime & Disorder Act 1998 S17)

29. To ensure that in respect of the Council’s work, decisions and activities that full and proper consideration is given to the Council’s duty to promote equality and diversity

30. To ensure that in respect of the Council’s work, decisions and activities that full and proper consideration is given to Human Rights legislation

31.  To ensure that in respect of the Council’s work, decisions and activities that full and proper consideration is given to  environmental impact and sustainability

32. To ensure that in respect of the Council’s work, decisions and activities that full and proper consideration is given to health and safety.

33. To ensure that in respect of the Council’s work, decisions and activities that full and proper consideration is given to obtaining and delivering value for money