COUNCIL MEETING
12 FEBRUARY 2026
REVIEW OF COUNCIL POLICIES

1. Standing Orders
Standing Orders are the mainstay of the Council’s legal, regulatory and
administrative functions. They are kept under constant review to ensure that
they are up to date and that the Council adheres to their requirements at all
times. Even so, upon annual review, closer consideration is given to see
whether any improvements can be made. An annual review has been
conducted by Councillor Roberts and the Clerk.
Although no major amendments are necessary, a number of typographical
errors have been identified and corrected. Additionally changes to procedures
resulting from the communications review have been inserted in the order of
business for Council meetings; the latest terms of reference of committees
have been included and several other minor additions for clarity. The current
version with track changes is attached.

2. Persistent or Vexatious Correspondence and Complaints Policy
This policy was first approved several years ago specifically to deal with a
particular situation which had arisen, though it was also considered suitable
for other similar matters. Upon annual review by Councillor Roberts and the
Clerk it was considered that the current policy was over complicated and
insufficiently clear for the general public. Consequently, it has been radically
shortened deleting superfluous paragraphs relating to the subject generally
but not to the procedure to be employed in the event of an instance occurring.
The resultant policy provides a straightforward process for dealing with
relevant situations. The current policy with track changes is attached.

3. Media and Social Media Policy
The annual review of this policy coincided with the communications review
undertaken by the Council and it was considered by the reviewers, Councillors
Roberts and Burns, that the current policy would benefit from being re-written
to reflect current thinking and practice and to make it clearer to the public the
ways in which the Council interacts with media and social media. The policy
attached retains the essence of its predecessor but is presented more clearly
and attractively.

4. Website Accessibility Statement
The current Website Accessibility Statement is obsolete as it refers to the old
website. Attached is a new statement which has been part authored by the
website designer and service contractor, PC Futures.
5. Equality and Diversity Policy
The current policy approved in 2024 has been reviewed and re-written by
Councillor Roberts who has simplified the language and made the policy more
accessible. The new version, attached, maintains the principles of its
predecessor, with changes limited to layout and presentation.
6. Grant Application form

When the Council approved the Grant Aid Policy at its meeting on 11
December 2025, it requested that an application form be prepared and made
available. Attached is such a form for the Council’s consideration.

7. Recommendation

It is recommended that the amended/new policies attached to this report as
follows:
(i) Standing Orders
(ii) Persistent and Vexatious Correspondence and Complaints Policy
(iii) Media and Social Media Policy
(iv) Website Accessibility Policy
(v) Equality and Diversity Policy
(vi) Grant Application form
be approved and adopted.

Graham White
Parish Clerk
2 February 2026