"NOW WE ARE A QUALITY COUNCIL"

A Quality Parish Council is not only in a position to show their local community that they are performing above a national minimum standard but that they are in a better position to influence the decision making process and/or take on additional services and areas of responsibility, from their principal local authorities. In the case of Narborough (Blaby District and Leicestershire County Councils)

Who benefits?
1. the community
2. the Parish Council itself
3. the principal local authorities (District & County Councils)

What does a Parish Council have to do to become a "Quality
Council"?

The simple answer is: that it has to pass 7 Tests set by the
Government. Some of the tests are MANDATORY others are DISCRETIONARY

So what are these 7 Tests?

1. Have an Electoral Mandate
Elected means that the Parish Councillors have been duly
nominated and stood as a candidate for election
(Where an election is not held "elected" here means that the
Councillors who stood for election were elected unopposed)
Test Mandatory

2. Have a Qualified Clerk to the Council
The Clerk as the Principal and Proper Officer of the Council
must either hold the CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council
Administration) or the Certificate of Higher Education in Local
Policy or Local Council Administration) awarded by the
University of Gloucestershire. Test Mandatory

3. Hold regular Council Meetings (at least 4 per year) in the case
of Narborough Parish Council (12 ) Test Mandatory

4. Communication: Be able to demonstrate that the council by
several methods communicates, consults and actively involves
its electorate; local organisations and members of the public
in the delivery of its services. Test part Mandatory part
Discretionary

5. Annual Report: Prepare an Annual Report on the activities of the
Council and the services it provides including in it a summary
of the Councils accounts, a list of members and how they can be
contacted: include an overview by the Chairman of the Parish
Council and be publicly available, library; principal councils
and parish office. Test Mandatory

6. Accountability: This test is to ensure that the Parish Council
maintain accurate and transparent financial arrangements. The
Statement of Accounts must be prepared in accordance with the
Accounts & Audit Regulations and that both an Internal Auditor
and an External Auditor have reported and given their opinions
on the financial arrangements for the parish. All the parish
regulatory systems are checked out and reported on. The latest
Statement of Accounts and Balances Sheet have to be made
available for any Elector of the parish to inspect. Test is
Mandatory

7. Code of Conduct: All Councillors must sign the National Code of
Conduct in accordance with the Local Government Act 2000This
test is Mandatory

So why become a "Quality Council"

"Well having the status of being a "Quality Council"
immediately tells the local community that the Council
has attained a standard worthy of being recognised and
this is important in terms of public perception. It also
sends a clear message to the national government that the
Parish Council wants to be a key player in their long term
development for local government with its commitment to
improving standards and modernisation as appropriate."

WE HAVE DONE IT !!!! Yes as from 30th August Narborough Parish Council has become a "Quality Parish Council". NALC (National Association of Local Councils) in London have confirmed the decision of the Leicestershire County Adjudication Panel that Narborough has passed all the tests to become a nationally recognised Quality Council. Well done to all the Parish Councillors and Staff. Now all we have to do is KEEP UP THE STANDARDS set.

The Certificate of Accreditation was presented to the Full Council at its meeting on Tuesday 19th September in the Parish Centre, Desford Road, Narborough and members of the public were cordially invited to attend the celebration

Narborough Parish Council now join the elite of the County in becoming the 6th Local Council to have qualified for the distinction in becoming a "QUALITY COUNCIL" See picture above.

Now its time to move on as we continue to maintain our Quality Status. The first hurdle was on the 3rd May 07 with the Parish Elections when all the seats become vacant and need to be filled with [elected] members.

There are two wards in the Parish - Narborough & Littlethorpe comprising the Narborough village centre and all Littlethorpe and the Pastures comprising the new estate bordering Enderby.
Details from the Clerk to the Council who will advise all prospective candidates in their efforts to become a Councillor.

We failed to reach at least 80% of elected Councillors on 3rd May but on the second attempt due to 10 Electors having requested the District Council to fill the vacancies by Election - rather than co-option, sufficient willing volunteers agreed to stand at becoming a councillor, thus maintaining our 80% necessary to keep our Quality Status, when it is next reviewed.

The civil parish of Narborough is divided into two wards for the purpose of the Parish Council Elections. These are Narborough & Littlethorpe which serves the historic "village" of Narborough and Littlethorpe and the Pastures ward serving the new Pastures Estate bordering Enderby parish. Residents who live within these confines can only vote in their designated ward. In England there are over 70,000 parish and town councils, whose members receive no payment or other financial rewards for being elected a councillor and are held accountable by the local people they serve. Why do local residents offer to serve the community?
The majority want to see some improvements to the area in which they live, work or take their leisure and try and improve the facilities including the quality of life for their fellow citizens. They do this by bringing local issues which concern them to the attention of the Council and help make decisions on the outcomes.

Narborough Parish Council being one of the elite "Quality Councils" needs to ensure that each of the 19 seats on the Council are filled by properly elected persons. This is where you come in - are you or can you be one of those persons? Here then are some of the rules regarding becoming a Parish Councillor.

1. You must be over 21yrs of age, you may be a British National, but could also be a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union and you must not be a paid employee of the council, because the law forbids it.

2. You must be a local government elector of the parish ie on the Electoral Role.

3. You must reside in the parish or within 3 miles of it

That is all you need to qualify for going forward as a candidate.

What does the Parish Council do?

the Parish Council has powers laid down by Parliament do undertake many things, amongst which are being involved with decisions on planning; highways, traffic, community safety, street lighting, allotments, cemeteries, war memorials; public seats and bus shelters, rights of way, public clocks and a host of other local issues which concern residents. These are the issues that you will be concerned with as part of parish government.

With the new Quality Council status, HM Government is encouraging Parish [or Local] Councils to take on more duties and responsibilities, in order to deliver better services at grass roots level for their electorate and in doing so play a greater part in delivering better services for them.

Finance
A parish council raises its own finances through the "precept" which is an amount of money it needs each year to fund its services known as the budget. This money is collected from each household as its part of the Local Council Tax, which is collected on behalf of the parish council by its big brother Blaby District Council. [If you look at your Blaby District Council Tax demand you will see the sum set aside for Narborough Parish Council] - which is a small sum when you consider what is achieved each year on spending it. The spending of this money is strictly governed by a set of rules and each year the councils accounts are audited first by an Internal Auditor who acts on behalf of the Council, followed by the District Auditor, acting as an arm of government and part of the Audit Commission,] who acts on behalf of the electors of the parish. The accounts are presented for adoption and can be inspected by any elector who wishes to see them.

The Council

The Council is legally known as a corporate body which has its own legal existence quite separate from that of its members. The decisions which it makes are the corporate responsibility of the whole membership as a body corporate, under powers which parliament has granted it including the taxation [precept] outlined above together with the range of powers to spend public money on. It can be taken to court, and as a body corporate and responsible for its own action pay the price if it acts unlawfully.

The Parish Council is the first tier, [and we think the most important - as it is at the heart of the people] in what is known as Local Government all the others, the Blaby District Council and the Leicestershire County Council are known as principal authorities, and they too have a legal duty to deliver services but at a much higher level, such as education, social services, housing, planning, environmental health and highways. Parish Councils, whilst having fewer duties have greater freedom to choose what action they wish to take in supporting the work of the principle big brothers. In many cases they help, advise and consult before major local decision are taken.

Working Groups

Narborough PC does not work through Committees but through Working Groups who are appointed from amongst the councillors and join together to work through ideas, suggestions and established practises in order to improve the services offered to their parishioners.

Staff

To help the council do its work it employs a number of staff. The principal officer is The Clerk - as the Clerk to the Council and Proper Officer. A big title for a big job which is to run the business of the council; supervise the other staff and keep the members advised and up-to-date. Other staff include a Responsible Financial Officer and Deputy Clerk; and several; Ground staff. All working to keep the wheels of local government turning smoothly for the benefit of the community. Both Councillors and Staff working together as a "team." in order to provide the community with a local level of service.

The Elections

Remember earlier and where you came in! - now you know something about being a councillor would you like to consider standing for election? he next ones will be in May 2011 and you have time to think about it if you think you would like to have a go - then this is what you will have to do when the time comes. The Election is held under rules laid down by parliament under several acts and by rules made by the Home Secretary. For parish councils the principle legislation is the Representation of the People Act 1983. The term of office is for 4 years. After election each councillor must sign a declaration of acceptance of office and sign their commitment to the Code of Conduct.

The election date will be fixed nearer the date but it is nearly always on a THURSDAY In order to protect our Quality Parish Status then the 19 seats need to be filled or at least 80% by elected members. If more are received, then a poll will take place. If only sufficient candidates are nominated to fill the requisite seats, then the District Councils Returning Officer will declare the candidates "e1ected unopposed" ie without a vote. The normal hours of poll are 8.00am till 9.00pm.

If a poll is held it will be supervised by the Returning Officer, appointed by the Blaby District Council. The Returning Officer has the authority to delegate responsibilities to another person, and this could be the Clerk to the Council.

Still want to be a Parish Councillor? - then nearer the date keep an eye open for notices appearing on the parish Notice Boards and announcements in the press or on the local radio. When it does comes either visit the Parish Council Offices or better still the Blaby District Council Offices, Desford Road, Narborough and obtain a set of Nomination Forms. Complete the form, including the details of your two sponsors, first and second, together with their electoral register number. Sign and return for checking, before you hand them in. An invalid nomination paper will not be accepted by the Returning Officer, so make sure all the is are dotted and the ts crossed, signed and dated then proudly hand it in. Should a ballot ensue then your name will be on the ballot paper - then it is a matter for the Narborough & Littlethorpe Electors to make their choice.

Forward - after the Election [if one is held]

As part of its "Quality Council" commitment, a decision has been made to take part in a "PARISH PLAN." This is a survey of the parish, led by the Parish Council but drawing in members/residents of the community to serve on a Working Group, which will look at the way we live today and from it an "Action Plan" for improving the quality of life and environment of both Narborough & Littlethorpe. The Parish Plan will be based on the findings undertaken through a parish wide consultation process involving every household. Local residents, members of community organisations and other interested partners will be able to have their say. These are the exciting times which lay ahead as the newly elected Parish Council takes on the responsibility. We hope you will be one of those who will want to join in. The Narborough Parish Plan Group have now been established and are meeting regularly on the workings of the PLAN. You can see the minutes of the Working Plan Group by linking onto the Parish Plan on the left hand side of this website or visit the link to Leicestershire Villages Website and pick them up from there. The link here is Parish Plan on the right hand side.

Well done for staying with us and getting this far - and if you do decide in 2011 that you would like to become a Parish Councillor -you will know just what to do Good Luck We hope you found it interesting.