Policies and Procedures

Functions & Responsibilities:

• Councillors to be notified of planning applications received from South Holland District Council (SHDC) or Lincolnshire County Council (LCC).
• Scrutinise and review planning applications, taking account of the strategic aims and objectives outlined in the Neighbourhood Plan.
• Delegate power to the Clerk in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee and two Councillors to formulate a response.
• Submit comments/observations on planning applications, taking into account the observations of individual Parish Councillors, parishioners and other interested parties. The Clerk shall collate the views of Councillors and prepare a statement of the Council’s views on each planning application prior to submission to SHDC or LCC.
• To oversee the implementation of 106 Agreements and negotiate terms for recommendation to the Full Council.
• Consider and comment on submissions made by developers for proposals including Public Open Spaces and other planning matters that may affect the Parish.
• To review the Neighbourhood Plan at predetermined intervals.
• Submit comments/observations on TPO/tree work applications – consult with the Tree Specialist.
• Help and support Crowland in Bloom
• Floral Displays
• Waste and recycling initiatives
• Dog/Litter Bins
• Winter Gritting/Grit Bins
• Bus Shelters – installation and maintenance
• Street Furniture – seats/commemorative streetlights etc.
• Portable Speed Sign
• Roads/Traffic/Parking/Road Safety
• Liaise with Police/PCSO
• Emergency Planning
• Obtaining quotes and tenders for contract work, where required.
• Town Events i.e. Anniversary of VE Day (2025)
• Arranging cleaning, maintenance and repair of heritage items, such as the War Memorial, Flagpole etc.
• Heritage Trail – installation, updating and maintenance of information boards
• To have control of monies in Ear Marked Reserves for specific projects relating to this Committee.
• Deal with other matters, as may be requested by the Full Council.

Farms & Gardens Committee

The Committee will meet bi-monthly unless an extraordinary meeting is required.

Functions & Responsibilities:

• Letting and maintenance of Allotments.
• The Committee will be responsible for the management, supervision and maintenance of the Snowden Field.  Site administration and checks, security, overview of working practices, consideration of health and safety issues, safe working practices, etc.
• Non-urgent maintenance requirements or items that will exceed budgetary planning are to be identified by the Committee and reported back to Full Council for discussion and final decision. 
• Facilities Staff training as necessary, taking account of budgetary constraints and will report to Full Council on a regular basis.
• Routine maintenance and upkeep of the Snowden playing field and play area.
• Arrange regular and annual play equipment inspections.
• Planning for long-term needs in Play Areas with regard to repairs and the replacement of play equipment, safety surfacing, fencing and other related items.
• The Committee will be responsible for the management and operation of the Library/Community Hub.
• Obtaining quotes and tenders for contract work, where required.
• To have control of monies in Ear Marked Reserves for specific projects relating to this Committee.
• Deal with other matters, as may be requested by the Full Council.

Safety & Security Committee

To meet as and when required

Functions & Responsibilities:

• The checking of playground equipment, play park area, zip wire and skateboard park.  
• Roads/Traffic/Parking/Road Safety
• Liaise with Police/PCSO
• Emergency Planning
• Obtaining quotes and tenders for contract work, where required.
• To have control of monies in Ear Marked Reserves for specific projects relating to this Committee.
• Deal with other matters, as may be requested by the Full Council

Human Resources & Personnel Committee

To meet as and when required

This committee consists of the Clerk, The Chairman, The Vice Chairman,  and the Chairmen of all the above committees.

Functions & Responsibilities:

• The Committee will deal with all matters relating to the employment of staff, including but not limited to:-
• Establishment, including all recruitment, development and review of job descriptions, person specifications, advertisements for vacancies, appointments, and other recruitment procedures as and when required;
• Conduct, Capacity and Capability;
• Development and Training;
• Appraisal and Assessment, including the annual appraisal of the Proper Officer;
• Health, Safety and Wellbeing, including reviewing staff work/life balance, working conditions and the monitoring of absence;
• Remuneration and Rewards including recommendations to Full Council with regard to remuneration, terms and conditions of service of the Council staff;
• Development and application of all employment policies and procedures including appeals policies are in place for staff under guidance from the Proper Officer;
• The Committee will also deal with all matters relating to complaints about services provided by the Council staff;
• Deal with other matters, as may be requested by the Full Council.

GOVERNANCE

Membership of Committees is open to any Councillor who wishes to be a member.

Councillors who are not members of a Committee can attend a meeting and with the permission of the Chairman may take part in the debate but are not allowed a vote.

Committees shall be subject to a quorum of 3 or one third of its membership, whichever is greater in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders.

• Each Committee will elect its Members and Chairman at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council in May each year. Vice-Chairmen will be elected annually at the first meeting of the Committee.
• Councillors can request items to be put forward for individual agendas.
• Times and frequency of meetings are determined by the Clerk in consultation with the Committee Chairmen and in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders.
• A schedule of meetings and list of the Council’s Committees and their membership is displayed in the Parish Office; it is regularly updated and circulated to Councillors.
• Specifically, about the HR Committee
  • The Committee should consist of a minimum of 6 members
  • Committee members must fully understand and receive appropriate training in the application of employment-related policies and procedures
  • The Committee may establish working groups with delegated authority to act on behalf of the Committee in the exercise of its duties and powers.
  • Where decisions made by the HR Committee working groups may be appealed, in accordance with the Council’s relevant employment policies, the subsequent Appeals Panel must be drawn from those Committee members not previously involved in ‘working groups’ deliberations or decisions.
  • Any decision by an Appeals Panel is full and final and must be reported to the Full Council after going into a closed session of the meeting.