Agenda item

a.  Policy and Finance Committee held on 10 March 2026;

It was RESOLVED to note the minutes and consider the following recommendations.

RECOMMENDATION 1:

319/25/26 TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON ASSERTION 10 COMPLIANCE AND CONSIDER ANY ACTIONS AND ASSOCIATED EXPENDITURE.

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Town Clerk provided Members with an overview of the report contained and circulated in the reports pack and explained that Assertion 10 was a new requirement in the 2025 Practitioners’ Guide for the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR), focusing on digital governance, data protection, and website accessibility.

The Town Clerk explained that whilst the Town Council is compliant in most areas, the main concern is the website, where PDF documents do not always meet accessibility requirements. In recognition of these, interim measures have been put into place to support those that require assistance.

The Town Clerk advised Members that when they receive their AGAR, a box entitled ‘other matters’ may contain a comment that they are not fully compliant in view of some of the website accessibility requirements detailed above.

Following a unanimous vote, it was proposed by Councillor P Samuels, seconded by Councillor Nowlan and RESOLVED:

1.  That the Town Council confirms it has complied with the requirements set out in Assertion 10 of the Annual Governance Statement for the financial year ending 31 March 2026;

2.  That it further acknowledges that its website does not fully meet all statutory accessibility requirements, however full compliance is expected to be achieved during 2026;

3.  That the accessibility statement accurately sets out the Town Councils current position regarding website accessibility and the support available to assist users;

4.  To RECOMMEND to Full Town Council on 9 April 2026 to approve the updated IT Policy in accordance with the Assertion 10 requirements, as attached.

Following a unanimous vote, it was proposed by Councillor P Samuels, seconded by Councillor Bullock and RESOLVED to approve the above recommendation, as attached.

RECOMMENDATION 2:

324/25/26 TO RECEIVE AMENDMENTS TO THE RECEIVING PUBLIC QUESTIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND EVIDENCE AT MEETINGS PROCEDURE AND CONSIDER ANY ACTIONS.

The Chairman invited Members to ask questions regarding the proposed amendments to the Receiving Public Questions, Representations and Evidence at Meetings procedure, as set out in the circulated reports pack.

Members discussed the amendments and agreed that they were necessary. However, they expressed concern that the requirement for questions to be submitted five clear working days in advance was too long and would not allow questions to be raised following the publication of an agenda.

Following a unanimous vote, it was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor Brady and resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Town Council to approve the Receiving Public Questions, Representations and Evidence at Meetings procedure, as amended and attached.

Following a unanimous vote, it was proposed by Councillor P Samuels, seconded by Councillor Martin and RESOLVED to approve the above recommendation, as attached.

RECOMMENDATION 3:

330/25/26 TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE FINDINGS FROM THE APPOINTMENT OF THE LOCAL COUNCIL CONSULTANCY AND CONSIDER ANY ACTIONS AND ASSOCIATED EXPENDITURE.

Following a unanimous vote, it was proposed by Councillor B Samuels seconded by Councillor Peggs and RESOLVED:

1.  To note the report from the Working Group;

2.  To delegate authority to the Town Clerk to implement the Working Group’s recommendations as set out in the confidential report;

3.  To RECOMMEND to Full Town Council that the current Town Council Complaints and Unreasonable Customer Behaviour Policy be retired;

4.  To RECOMMEND to Full Town Council that the new draft Complaints Policy, as amended and attached, be approved.

Following a unanimous vote, it was proposed by Councillor P Samuels, seconded by Councillor Stoyel and RESOLVED to approve the above recommendations, as attached.

b.  Planning and Licensing held on 17 March 2026;

It was RESOLVED to note the minutes. There were no recommendations.