CURRENT ISSUES
This web page provides information on current issues of concern and importance to parish and town councils.
As far as parishes and towns are concerned it is to ensure that every council is working from a level playing field, without exception having the basic IT requirements, with proper support and also a standard address that will not change as and when the clerk changes. There is an annual turnover, of mainly Parish Clerks, between 10% and 15%, with the inevitable consequences for databases and communications throughout local government. Wider information, held on the laptop or on-line via broadband, can be available at council meetings, such as on-line planning applications, which are already becoming a reality in Dorset. Whenever a council has offices or a parish room it will also be possible to provice an Information Point that can link into principal authority services. In other words to include all local councils in E Government.
Village and Community Halls have been adapting to meet community needs ever since they were first developed. However, in Dorset, IT connectivity is something that only a handful of the very newest halls can offer, out of approximately 200. Nevertheless, there is an increasing demand from statutory organisations to extend access to information to any community, however isolated, and an expectation that a variety of public services can be delivered effectively via the web. Unless individuals have a broadband connection in their own homes however, or easy access - e.g. living near to a library for the Peoples' Network, they are currently 'digitally excluded'. Via 'Connecting Dorset', the participating village halls will be able to develop a variety of services, including regular supervised sessions for the public, allowing individual access to the web.
The need for access to web-based services in rural Dorset is emerging strongly from Parish Plans and other research. The willingness of a majority of Dorset halls to participate in the project has been confirmed as face-to-face meetings and a follow-up survey (25% sample) by DCA. Both of these factors show that the time is right and the project is deliverable. When looking at the general community aspects of the project there are issues such as homework clubs (with a link to the Extended Schools agenda), on-line job search and applications, adult education, CAB services, local surgeries, an extension of some aspects of the Peoples Network available in fixed libraries, e-learning groups, flooding liaison, crime and other information, disaster control points, social services information, car sharing schemes, etc. etc. Indeed the list is growing all the time. We have clearly identified very many benefits to the people of Dorset which have a clearlink to LAA delivery, and the benefits to principal authorities, in terms of communications alone, are self evident.
The totality and coverage of 'Connecting Dorset' makes it a national pthfinder, and two Government Departments, DEFRA nad DCLG, are already showing keen interest. The project looks at rural access in a different way, using two of the main rural hubs, bringing services to the people via IT, instead of the expensive option of always trying to take the people to the services. It promotes and will develop the concept of different levels of local government working in partnership; and it links with other work to raise 3rd sector delivery of public services.
Following a Feasibility Study funded by SWRDA, DAPTC and DCA have finally been sucessful in obtaining full funding from SWRDA, Everybody Online, DCC (Rural Pathfinder), Capacity Builders and Magna Housing. A project team of three has been recruited, a Steering Board set up, preferred suppliers appointed and the initial tranche of equipment is due to be delivered to 33 local councils very soon.
DAPTC & DCA remain the project's promoters and leaders and for further information contact: David Webb at DAPTC (01305 260972) daptc@dorsetcc.gov.uk or Steve Place at DCA (01305 250921) steve.place@dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk
In the 2000 Rural White Paper it contained a series of measures on which to base the development of parish and town councils. The first is that of Quality Town and Parish Councils, an opportunity open to any parish or town council whatever its size or role. A 'Quality' parish or town council can take on a stronger role, including the provision of services, either those currently performed by another body, or in an entirely new area. Quality parishes are central to any local consultation exercises and contributing to discussions on housing, transport, health and other local plans. Partnerships with other local authorities, voluntary and business organisation are a key feature of quality parishes as are the provision of ICT and other access points for its community. Parish or town councils wishing to take on this stronger role must meet a 'quality test'.
The Quality Test. The Quality Test. It is important that any authority wishing to take on an enhanced role should prove itself to be capable and accountable. It is, however, equally important that the tests for establishing that capability and accountability are accessible to all. This is the challenge that Government has set itself in devising the 'quality test'.
DAPTC has set up, on behalf of ODPM a Dorset Accreditation Panel to consider councils applying for Quality Status. The test includes:
Electoral Mandate. The first hurdle for an aspirant quality parish is to demonstrate that it has an electoral mandate. This basically means that councillors are elected, not co-opted.
Minimum of Number of Meetings Per Year. A quality parish council must hold a minimum number of six meetings a year, including its Annual Meeting. This requirement is an essential factor in demonstrating that the council is active and in ensuring public engagement and interest.
Trained Parish or Town Clerk. The third test for an aspirant local council is that it has a trained parish or town clerk. Clerks holding the Certificate in Local Council Administration sponsored by Gloucester University are currently considered exempt. However the basic qualification is now the AQA Certificate in Local Council Administration. This is administered in Dorset by DAPTC
Publication of an Annual Report. A quality parish council will have to produce an annual report describing its activities, as well as newsletters or similar sources of information. It should also produce an annual report of its activities. This is seen as essential to ensure that the public feel engaged and confident in the execution of local democracy.
Unqualified Audited Accounts. A quality parish council would also have to have up-to-date, unqualified and properly audited accounts, which are available for public scrutiny.
The above are some of the main qualifications, but a booklet describing the scheme and how to apply, originally produced by the South West Association of Local Councils in conjunction with the Countryside Agency, but now a national publication called "A Guide to becoming a Quality Council" is available from the DAPTC office.
Allowances. Further recognition of local councils became law on 1st
of January 2004, with parish & town councillors becoming eligible for
allowances for the work that they do for the local community, in addition
to any expenses incurred.
Plans & Partnerships. Funding initially provided by the Countryside Agency enabled many Dorset parishes to produce Parish Plans under the Vital Villages initiative. Lots of others are showing interest, but unfortunately funding was withdrawn. However, as this has been such a worthwhile initiative, encouraging greater pro-activity in local councils new funding for this process is now being made available via the Dorset Strategic Partnership. At the same time Community Partnerships have been developing all over Dorset, encouraging extension of existing and much new community action. These initiatives are all being drawn together through the districts and finally into a Dorset Strategic Plan. DAPTC is involved in this process at all levels, and details of Parish Plans can be viewed on the Dorset County Council Website.