Who we are and what we do
The Parish Council is a democratically elected body comprising representatives from throughout the Parish. Councillors give their time freely to represent the views of parishioners on matters that affect our lives locally. Each Councillor has to comply with a national code of conduct that ensures the highest standards of public accountability. The Parish Council has an annual budget which is derived from the precept received from Melton Borough Council. This money is used to pay for various local services.
The expenditure of the Parish Council is subject to checking by external auditors.
Meetings of the Parish Council are held on a regular basis. Members of the public are always welcome at our meetings.
The Council strives to make Garthorpe and Coston a better place to live, work and play.
For further information relating to the services offered by the Parish Council please contact the Parish Clerk who will be happy to give advice and assistance.
Roles of the Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
The clerk is employed by the council, under section 112 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972, to provide administrative support for the council’s activities.
The clerk’s primary responsibility is to advise the council on whether its decisions are lawful and to recommend ways in which decisions can be implemented. To help with this, the clerk can be asked to research topics of concern to the council and provide unbiased information to help the council to make appropriate choices.
The clerk has a wide range of other responsibilities which are set out in his/her job description. The clerk must recognise that the council is responsible for all decisions and that he/she takes instructions from the council as a body. The clerk is not answerable to any individual Councillor.
The Council must be confident that the clerk is, at all times, independent, objective and professional.
‘Proper officer’ is a title used in statute. It refers to the appropriate officer for the relevant function. In town and parish councils, the proper officer is normally the clerk. In financial matters, the proper officer is known as the Responsible Financial Officer. Garthorpe and Coston Parish Council currently employs one person for both roles.