The Role of the Council
The Council is made up of 12 parish councillors, which are elected for a four year period, and act in a voluntary capacity. They act on behalf of their constituents in response to comments and views on local issues. Councillors are not qualified to act in an official capacity until they have signed the ‘Declaration of Acceptance of Office, and agreed to abide by the Code of Conduct as set out in the Standing Orders. They have a duty to register specific interests within 28 days of an election or following co-option. In addition, they must declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests and must never use their position to their own personal advantage. Councillors must promote equality and not unlawfully discriminate. They have no individual delegated powers, and act as a body, thus abiding by majority decisions.
The Chairman is the council figurehead and representative at formal civic occasions. He/she ensures good order and effective, lawful decisions are taken at meetings. He/she engages other councillors in discussion and debate and presides over the annual Parish Meeting. In Northallerton, as with many other parishes, the chairman is entitled ‘Mayor’ and must sign a separate ‘Declaration of Acceptance to Office’. The chairman receives an agreed allowance to meet expenses of office. The chairman will also work in partnership with the clerk, and is consulted on the content of agenda items. The chairman presides at ordinary meetings of the council and if absent the vice-chairman presides, if both are absent, the meeting must elect someone to preside as first point of business.
The CEO/Clerk works closely with the Mayor and is an official paid officer of the Town Council and the only person with delegated powers. The role of Clerk is analogous to that of the Chief Executive in a County or District Council and arguably has a wider responsibility in relation to the organisation than counterparts at County and District level. The CEO/Clerk advises the council on policy is the authorised legal signatory and is ultimately responsible for the operational, financial, personnel and organisational management of the Council. The clerk is answerable to the whole council and not one individual councillor.
Serving the Local Community