Policies

Under Corporate Governance the Town Council is required to have and adhere to an Anti Fraud and Corruption Policy. Click on the tab to view the document.

The Town Council aims to ensure its equipment is maintained to the highest standard for use by customers. To ensure the equipment is maintained accordingly so that it can be lent out externally to third party organisations who are local community groups/not for profit organisations.

The aim of this Policy is to set out the procedure for keeping Bees on Andover Town Council Allotments.

Community First: Help to make Andover a great place to live and work

The aim of this Policy is to set out the procedure for keeping chickens on Andover Town Council Allotments.

The Civic Protocol gives guidence on the role of the Town Mayor.

The Andover Town Council Code of Conduct is the Code that all Town Councillors must follow.

This strategy is based on the guiding principles that communication must be effective and that protocols should be followed to ensure clarity and professionalism. The strategy covers both internal and external communications. The Council aims to be transparent in its dealings and for communications to be timely and effective

This policy sets out a fair, open and consistent procedure for co-option, so that all eligible residents have an equal opportunity to put themselves forward and the Council can demonstrate that its decision was made transparently. It reflects sections 79, 80, 83 and 87 to 89 of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules 2006.

Under Corporate Governance the Town Council is required to have and adhere to a Disciplinary Policy. Click on the tab to view the policy.

The Town Council Employee/Councillor Protocol is to give guidance to Staff and Members on behaviour and conduct.

Approved Full Council 20 March 2024.

Financial Regulations govern the way the Town Council runs its financial business.

Andover Town Council is required to maintain adequate financial reserves to meet the needs of the organisation. The purpose of this policy is to set out how the Council will determine and review the level of reserves.

There are many types of flexible working. It can describe a place of work, for example, home-working, or a type of contract, such as a temporary contract. Other common variations include: part-time working, flexitime, job sharing and shift working.

All organisations that hold public data are required to have a Freedom of Information Policy. Click on the tab to view the policy.

Andover Town Council ('the Council') awards grants to local not-for-profit organisations whose activities deliver clear benefit to the Andover community. In doing so the Council is mindful of its responsibility for the proper stewardship of public funds. This policy sets out, in one document, who may apply, what evidence is required at each level of funding, how decisions are made, and the conditions attached to every award.

This policy sets out the Town Council’s commitment to the health, safety and wellbeing of those working for it and anyone else who interacts with the services that the Town Council provides.

Andover Town Council recognises the importance of effective and secure information technology (IT) and email usage in supporting its business, operations and communications. This policy outlines the guidelines and responsibilities for the appropriate use of IT resources and email by council members, employees, volunteers and contractors.

Powers and Duties of Local CouncilsLocal Councils have a wide range of powers but very few duties.DutiesA duty is an activity that must be carried out (Mandatory), e.g., local councils must appoint a chairman and a clerk.PowersStatutory powers, granted by Parliament, give local councils the choice or opportunity to take action and are therefore discretionary. The powers vested in Parish, Town, and Community Councils by Acts of Parliament are summarised below as a guide to Councillors and others. Each description is brief and intended as a general indication. It is not a complete list of every single power and duty.Like all powers given to public bodies, the powers of local councils are defined in detail in legislation and may include a requirement to obtain the consent of another body (e.g., approval of the County Council to provide a car park). Local Councils must also exercise their powers subject to the provisions of general law (e.g., planning permission is necessary for a sports pavilion).Table of details The attached table describes the powers and duties held by local councils for a number of functions. It also provides details of the regulations under which statutory provisions are made. Information on all these details should be in the hands of the parish council Clerks.

Andover Town Council is committed to ensuring that all pregnant employees take the leave and pay that they are entitled to. This policy sets out the Town Councils commitment and duties as well as the rights of the employee.

Andover Town Council is committed to providing excellent customer care. This Policy outlines the Town Council's commitment.

This policy outlines the procedure for the Town Councils response to any out of hours issues for allotments. Click on the tab to view the policy.

This policy outlines the Parental Leave entitlement for Town Council employees.

Andover Town Council is committed to fair, transparent and lawful pay. This policy sets out how pay is determined for Council employees, the Council’s equal pay commitments, and how pay decisions are made and reviewed. The Council aims to operate a pay framework that is transparent and makes decisions on objective criteria.

The Town Council will make retirement provision for eligible staff which will be contributions to a pension scheme to comply with the Workplace Pension Scheme.

Andover Town Council is a consultee for planning applications with in the Parish.Attached is a file of the observations made to date.

This statement is to inform you about all the information we record about you. It sets out the conditions under which we may process any information that we collect from you or that you provide to us. Any information that identifies you (“Personal Information”) is used to provide you with the services you require.

Approved Full Council 29 September 2022

Andover Town Council delivers services which can bring employees, Councillors, volunteers and contractors into contact with children and adults at risk, whether as part of their role or incidentally, for example on allotment sites, at community events or in the Council office. The Council believes that all children and adults at risk have the right to be safe and to be protected from abuse and neglect. This policy sets out the Council’s safeguarding commitments, how to recognise abuse, and how concerns and allegations must be reported. It is not the role of the Council or of any individual to decide whether abuse has taken place; it is everyone’s responsibility to report concerns so that the statutory agencies can act.

This Scheme of Delegation authorises the Officers as specified to act with delegated authority in the specific circumstances detailed within the document attached.

Andover Town Council is committed to providing a working environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The Council operates a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and will take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment occurring in the workplace, during Council business and at work-related events. This policy reflects the Council's obligations under the Equality Act 2010, the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 and the ACAS guidance and Code of Practice relating to dignity at work and sexual harassment prevention. Employers have a positive legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment before it occurs.

Andover Town Council aims to support the health and wellbeing of its employees and to secure good attendance so that services to the community are maintained. This policy sets out how sickness absence is reported, certified, paid and managed. It reflects ACAS guidance on absence management: absence will be handled fairly, consistently, supportively and confidentially, with dismissal on grounds of ill health only ever a last resort under the Capability Policy. The Council will support employees who suffer ill health through occupational health advice, reasonable time to recover, reasonable adjustments to work or duties (temporary or permanent), phased returns, and consideration of flexible or home working.

The Standing Orders of the Town Council are the rules which the Town Council has to follow.

Andover Town Council is committed to dealing with all complaints fairly, thoroughly and impartially under its Complaints Procedure and Policy. In a small number of cases, the conduct of a complainant, or the frequency or nature of their contact, can hinder the consideration of their complaint, place unreasonable demands on the Council’s small staff team, or amount to harassment. This policy sets out how the Council will identify and manage unreasonable and unreasonably persistent complainant behaviour, while ensuring that genuine complaints continue to be heard. It is based on guidance published by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman on managing unreasonable complainant behaviour.

Volunteers make a valued contribution to Andover Town Council’s work, particularly at community events and on allotment sites, and are already recognised in the Council’s Training and Development, Safeguarding and I.T. policies. This policy sets out how the Council recruits, supports and manages volunteers, so that volunteering is safe, rewarding and well organised, and so that the responsibilities on both sides are clear.

Andover Town Council's Accesibility Statement