COMMITTEES AND SUB-COMMITTEES

The Town Council has a range of Committees and Sub-Committees who meet on a regular basis to undertake work on behalf of the Council. These Committees and their terms of reference are detailed below:

Finance & General Purposes Committee.

The Finance & General Purposes Committee is responsible for the detailed oversight of the Town Council’s financial affairs and will make recommendations to the Town Council on charges applied by the Town Council and also with regard to general budgetary matters. The Finance & General Purposes Committee will give consideration to the fixing of the Town Council’s precept and make a recommendation to the Town Council. The Committee meets four times each year.

Staffing Sub-Committee

The Staffing Sub-Committee  reports to the Finance & General Purposes Committee and oversees general staffing issues within the office such an annual leave, sickness absence, flexi-time, appraisals and staff training. The Committee meets four times per year.

Planning, Highways & Lighting Committee.

This Committee has responsibility for detailed matters relating to Planning, Highways & Lighting. It enjoys delegated authority from the Town Council to deal with matters relating to planning applications but reserves the right to make a recommendation to the Town Council on any particular application if the circumstances merit. The Committee meets on a fortnightly basis depending on the number of planning applications to be considered.

Allotments Committee.

The Allotments Committee has general oversight of the Town Council’s allotments and liaises with Site Secretaries regarding the management of the allotments. The Committee does not enjoy any delegated powers from the Town Council. The Committee  also includes a number of co-opted members. These co-opted members are the Site Secretaries of the various allotment sites managed by the Town Council but the Site Secretaries may appoint substitutes if they are unable to attend in person. The Committee normally meets twice a year.

Special Projects Committee.

This Committee oversees arrangements for all the Town Council’s special events including dealing with the detailed arrangements for the Town Council's Gala & Horticultural Show.  The Committee has the benefit of delegated authority from the Town Council with regard to the organisation of special events and are authorised to spend up to the budget limit fixed by the Town Council in respect of the organisation of such events. The Committee meets bi-monthly.

Talking Newspaper Committee.

This Committee is responsible for the arrangements relating to the service provided by the Town Council under the Talking Newspaper Scheme. The Committee also includes a number of co-opted members who are the Group Leaders of the various teams appointed to provide this service. In the event of a Team Leader not being able to attend he/she is entitled to nominate a substitute. The Committee meets on two occasions each year.

Consultative Group.

The Consultative Group meets as and when required and will consider matters that are relevant to the role and responsibilities of the Town Council. The Consultative Group is made up of all members of the Town Council and is generally a forum for discussion and information. Reports of the Consultative Group are submitted to the Town Council and the Town Council has responsibility for dealing with any matters arising from the work of the Consultative Group.