Statement on Standards of Service
The Cheshire Association of Town and Parish Councils exists to:
1 Protect and promote the interests, rights, functions and privileges of Member Councils;
2 Assist Councils in the performance of their duties and to promote and develop the social, cultural and recreational life of towns and villages;
3 Promote widespread and well-informed interest in local government.
In addition....
To achieve the first objective CATPC will:
Subscribe to the National Association of Local Councils to achieve for its Members representation at national level of their concerns and wishes both for themselves and for the communities they represent; to receive all necessary information; to benefit from the specialist legal services provided by NALC, and to improve its links and co-operation with other County Associations. It will monitor the subscriptions to and services provided by NALC to ensure good value for money for its members
Respond to consultation documents within the stated time limits as appropriate. This duty to be undertaken by the Policy Committee of the Cheshire Association.
Keep in close contact with other County Associations in the North West Region through the North West Federation of Town and Parish Councils in order to facilitate the exchange of information and views and to participate in the North West Regional Chamber.
Ensure that as wide publicity as possible is given to the activities, values and views of the Association and Town and Parish Councils in newspapers, on radio and on TV. To this end the Cheshire Association supports the work of its Publicity Officer. The Association’s Secretary and its Officers will make themselves available as required. In dealing with the media the Association will attempt accurately to reflect Members’ views and will bear in mind their long term needs and aspirations.
To achieve the second objective stated, CATPC will:
Issue a bi-monthly newsletter free of charge to all its members to publicise new legislation, changes in its regulations, and any item of interest to Member Councils or the communities they serve.
Answer letters received from member councils within five working days of receipt
Receive telephone enquiries and requests for assistance promptly and courteously. If the answering machine is used, calls will be acknowledged within 24 hours.
Wherever necessary seek legal advice on behalf of a Member Council. In these cases CATPC will do its best to ensure that a response is provided promptly.
Make representation to other bodies on behalf of Member Councils.
Make its Secretary or an Executive Member available to attend meetings of Member Councils when necessary.
Have available for sale to Member Councils the forms and notices necessary for their proper functioning.
Manage whatever system of borrowing approval is in place at the time on behalf of the Department of the Environment and in co-operation with NALC.
Support Area Meetings on behalf of Member Councils to provide a forum for the dissemination of information and to facilitate discussion and enable networking.
Work together with any other body or agency interested in enhancing the social, cultural and recreational life in the communities Member Councils represent.
To achieve its third objective CATPC will:
Provide training for Clerks and Councillors on matters of interest to Member Councils and publicise training events, conferences and seminars provided by other bodies likely to be of interest to Member Councils.
Organise and promote conferences and seminars for all those with an interest on subjects of importance to Parish and Town Councils and their communities.
In addition to its three stated objectives, CATPC will:
Encourage members actively to promote local interest in their work and keep their electorate informed.
Never refuse to give information to anyone who asks on the statutory framework in which Town and Parish Councils must operate. It will not, however, offer advice to any but Member Councils.
Stock and promote a good selection of publications relevant to the work of Town and Parish Councils.
Make its staff and officers available to provide information wherever and through whatever medium is available.
Make regular contact with non-member councils to explain the benefits of membership and to promote the work of the Cheshire Association of Town and Parish Councils.
In order to measure the extent to which it is delivering the level of service undertaken the Association will make time available during its Annual Meeting for questions and comments from its members.
The Association welcomes comments from Member Councils on its services at any time.
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