Wiswell Parish Council Emergency Powers - COVID-19
15th of April, 2020
It is agreed as from 6.00pm on Thursday 26th March 2020, Wiswell Parish Council (“the Parish Council”) shall, until further notice:
- Empower the Chairman, Cllr Alan Scholfield and Vice-Chairman, Cllr Mrs Maureen Robinson to remain in post for the duration of these Emergency Powers.
- Suspend Parish Council meetings, including the Annual Parish Council Meeting and amend the Parish Council’s Standing Orders by including these Emergency Powers as a codicil to the existing standing orders and financial regulations, following approval by a majority of Parish Councillors.
- Delegate all powers and decision making of the Parish Council to the Parish Clerk/RFO, (with the exception of those that are prohibited by legislation), who shall consult with and seek approval from the said Chairman and Vice-Chairman. In the event either the Chairman or Vice Chairman is unavailable, then another member of the Parish Council shall be required to consider the action and or decision.
This delegation of powers shall remain in force until such time as the Government announces a relaxation in the Social Distancing Advice to enable regular Parish Council Meetings to resume without risk to the health, safety and well-being of:
- members of the public
- parish councillors
- the Parish Clerk
- the press
- any other person who may/will be in attendance
For clarity, these emergency powers can be lifted at any time should the national emergency be downgraded and can be extended by the Parish Clerk in consultation with and agreement of the majority of the parish councillors if the situation continues. However, in any event, these powers must be reviewed after 90 days and can only be further extended by a resolution supported by a majority of parish councillors. Each voting member shall register his/her vote (for or against) with the Parish Clerk by email.
The Parish Clerk is instructed to work from home and communicate by utilising e-mail or telephone. Signing of cheques should comply with existing authorities but is not to be carried out “face-to-face.”
The Parish Council, (where applicable), shall freeze all grant funding and unessential spending unless approved by the majority of councillors using email. This will not apply to spending related to property owned by the council, salaries or where expenditure is contractual or essential to the running of the Parish Council.
Communication with the press and public shall be the responsibility of the Parish Clerk (following consultation with the Chairman, or in his absence, the Vice Chairman.
Proposed by the Chairman Cllr Alan Scholfield
Seconded by the Vice-Chairman Cllr Mrs Maureen Robinson
26 March 2020
Doc ref: 260320/01