The Code applies to members of the Council as representatives of Wisborough Green Parish Council and should be read in conjunction with the general principles of public life.

Following consultation, the document was reviewed by the Local Government Association in 2020. The Model Code of Conduct, as recommended by Chichester District Council, was adopted unchanged on 17 May 2022.
Annual Review

Code of Conduct

“Personal data” is any information about a living individual which allows them to be identified from that data (for example a name, photographs, videos, email address, or address). Identification can be directly using the data itself or by combining it with other information which helps to identify a living individual. The processing of personal data is governed by legislation relating to personal data which applies in the United Kingdom including the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR) and other legislation relating to personal data and rights such as the Human Rights Act. The Parish Council had therefore adopted a number of policies and procedures to ensure that any data the Council holds is protected. If you feel that a breach has occurred, please contact the Clerk immediately who acts as the Parish Council’s Data Protection Officer.

Data Subject Access and the Data Protection Act

Wisborough Green Parish Council takes your data privacy seriously. If you wish to find out what information Wisborough Green Parish Council holds about you please contact us providing your contact details, a brief description of the information you require and enclose proof of your identity. This could be a scanned copy of a household bill, passport or driving license.

You will receive a response to your request within 20 days.  Please send your request to one of the following:

email address: clerk@wisboroughgreenpc.org 

or

by post to:
Wisborough Green Parish Council
PO Box 255
Wisborough Green
Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 0WT

Policies reviewed and updated: July 2024
Annual Review
Last Review: July 2024

Registration Certificate – Z1494803

Data Breach Policy

Data Protection Policy

IT, Communications & Monitoring Policy

Privacy Statement – General

Privacy Statement – Staff

Subject Access Request Procedure

This document sets out the framework for Parish Council members and employees to follow when in contact with the media, to inform the public about the Parish Council’s activities, decisions and the services it provides in a consistent way.

First Adopted: 19 May 2015
Biannual Review
Last Review: May 2023
Next Review: May 2025

Press and Media Policy

Social Media is the term commonly given to websites and online tools allowing users to interact with each other in some way – sharing information, opinions, knowledge and interests. This policy has been adopted to offer guidance to Council staff and members.

First Adopted: 21 March 2017
Biannual Review
Last Review: May 2023
Next Review: May 2025

Social Media Policy

This policy outlines the process to raise complaints about the administration and procedures of the Council.

First adopted: 21 June 2011
Last Review: May 2023
Bi-annual Review

Complaints Procedure

The Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that it is appropriate for someone proposing development to engage with a Local Planning Authority and with statutory consultees, including a Parish Council, before a planning application is submitted. Discussions with landowners, developers or their representatives are welcomed by the Parish Council at an early stage when set within the context of the Wisborough Green Neighbourhood Plan (NP) or NP Review.

First Adopted: 2June 2024
Biannual Review
Next Review: June 2026

Developer Engagement Policy

The Parish Council recognises that the efficient management of its records is necessary to comply with its legal and regulatory obligations and to contribute to the effective overall management of the Parish Council. This policy applies to all records created, received or maintained by the Parish Council in the course of carrying out its functions.

First Adopted: 18 July 2019
Biannual Review
Last Review: May 2023
Next Review: May 2025

Documents Retention Policy

Sets out the membership, responsibilities and delegated powers of the committee.

First adopted 17 May 2016
Annual Review

Terms of Reference

Sets out the membership, responsibilities and delegated powers of the Neighbourhood Plan Review Steering Group.

First adopted October 2018
Annual Review

Terms of Reference

Sets out the membership, responsibilities and delegated powers of the committee.

First adopted 15 May 2018
Annual Review

Terms of Reference

In accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 and Section 16 of its Financial Regulations, Wisborough Green Parish Council is required to record, manage and safeguard its fixed assets and equipment.

This policy sets out the details of what should be included in Wisborough Green Parish Council’s Fixed Assets Register and how the Register will be maintained.

First Adopted: November 2024
Biannual Review
Next Review: November 2026

Fixed Assets Policy

The Legislative Reform (Payments by Parish Councils, Community Councils and Charter Trustees) Order 2014 came into effect on 12th March 2014. This Order repealed the statutory requirement for two elected members to sign cheques and other orders for payment.

The removal of this particular legal requirement will enable the Parish Council to taking advantage of modern payment methods, such as online banking.

First Adopted: March 2019
Biannual Review
Re-adopted unchanged May 2023
Next Review: May 2025

Payment and Internet Banking Policy

These Financial Regulations govern the financial management of the council and may only be amended or varied by resolution of the council. They are one of the council’s governing documents and shall be observed in conjunction with the council’s Standing Orders.

This version of the national document was first adopted May 2024.
Annual Review
Next Review: May 2025

Financial Regulations

The Parish Plan published in 2004 highlighted the importance of voluntary groups to the life of the village, now and in the past. To ensure that this continues to be the case in the future, the Parish Council established, in autumn 2004, a new grant scheme to promote the development of new groups and to help those already in existence that need extra support to get their activities established. This policy has been updated over the years.

First Adopted: October 2004 and updated June 2021
Bi-annual Review
Last Review: May 2023

Parish Grant Awarding Policy

Grant Funding Application Form

Wisborough Green Parish Council supports the principle of allowing memorial benches within the Parish, and will manage and regulate the process. The following policy has been adopted to provide guidance and includes an application form.

First adopted: 19 September 2017
Biannual Review
Last Review: May 2023
Next Review: May 2025

Bench Donation Policy

Public rights of way are open to everyone. They can be roads, paths or tracks, and can run through towns, countryside or over privately owned land. All public rights of way are recorded on the Definitive Map. The land over which a public right of way passes belongs to the respective landowner and a clear distinction must be made between public and private access rights.

The Parish of Wisborough Green is fortunate to have many public rights of way that allow access into the countryside, many of which cross land privately owned by farmers and householders.

Landowners have an obligation to make public rights of way accessible to individuals, and individuals using these routes also have obligations to the landowner. This charter details each party’s obligations.

First Adopted: November 2019
Periodic review or as deemed necessary

Public Rights of Way Charter

The Council maintains this policy for the management of health and safety as its top priority and will do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure effective organisation and planning are established and maintained.  The Council will also ensure that appropriate and effective audit and review mechanisms are used to inform the work of the Council, which undertakes to commit appropriate resources to manage health and safety.

First Adopted January 2012
Bi-annual Review
Last Review: May 2023
Next Review: May 2025

Health & Safety Policy

Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) 2006 makes it clear that as a public authority, Wisborough Green Parish Council has a duty to have regard to conserving biodiversity as part of its policy and decision making. Under the 2021 Environmental Act, public authorities operating in England must consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity.

First adopted: 16 January 2024
Biannual Review
Next Review: January 2026

Biodiversity Policy

The Parish Council acknowledges that the picturesque and historical character of the village centre is an appeal to those in the film industry and in order to promote the village and support the local economy, will support the use of Parish Council land for filming purposes in accordance with the policy.

First Adopted 21 October 2014 (charges updated 2017)
Bi-annual Review
Last Review: May 2023
Next Review: May 2025

Filming Policy

The Green is for the benefit of parishioners, Wisborough Green Sports CIO (WGS) and visiting members of public. The aim of this policy is to offer guidance for the use and maintenance for all those who use or have an interest in the Green.

First Adopted November 2021
Bi-annual Review
Last Review: Nov 2021
Next Review: Linked with the new Pavilion Lease and to be reviewed as part of the Lease renewal process in 2025.

Village Green Policy

This plan provides simple guidance to enable support to the inter-agency services or, if appropriate, a start to self-help response in the event of a major incident or emergency within the community.

The definition of a ‘Major Incident’ or ‘Major Emergency’ as per Chichester District Council is, “an incident endangering or likely to endanger life and property that to deal with would be beyond the scope and facilities of normal day to day operational capabilities of those inter-agencies’ response”.

Major Emergency Plan

Risk assessment is the identifying and analysing of the Parish Council’s fixed assets and activities. The Parish Council, based on a recorded assessment, will take all practical and necessary steps to reduce or eliminate the risks, in so far as is practically possible.

This document has been produced to enable Wisborough Green Parish Council to assess the risks that it faces and satisfy itself that it has taken adequate steps to minimise.

Annual Review
Last Review: March 2024
Next Review: March 2025

Fixed Assets & Activities Risk Assessment – March 2024

The purpose of the Plan is to identify the arrangements in place as a response to significant weather events ONLY – the clearing of snow and ice – and the action taken by WSCC Highways, the Parish Council and self-help within the village. This document is supplementary to the existing Major Emergency Plan, which would come into effect if an emergency situation is declared by the Major Emergency Plan Team.

Winter Management Plan

Risk assessment is the identifying and analysing of events that may negatively impact upon individuals, working conditions, workplace activities and environmental factors. The Parish Council, based on a recorded assessment, will take all practical and necessary steps to reduce or eliminate the risks, in so far as is practically possible.

This document has been produced to enable Wisborough Green Parish Council to assess the risks that it faces and satisfy itself that it has taken adequate steps to minimise.

First Adopted: 16 November 2021
Annual Review
Last Review: November 2024
Next Review: November 2025

Management & Financial Risk Assessment for 2024/2025

All staff should be able to work in an environment free from harassment and bullying and be treated with dignity and respect regardless of gender, sexual orientation, transgender status, marital or family status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, creed, culture, religion or belief, age, or disability.

This policy and procedure provide guidance on what to do if you are concerned about bullying or harassment and what to expect if you raise concerns.  It applies to all staff (whether permanent, fixed term, or casual), contractors and agency staff.

First adopted 18 July 2023
Bi-annual Review
Next Review: July 2025

Anti-Harassment & Bullying Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide equal opportunities to all employees.

First adopted 18 July 2023
Bi-annual Review
Next Review: July 2025

Equality & Diversity Policy

This procedure is designed to help and encourage all council employees to achieve and maintain high standards of conduct whilst at work or representing the council.

First adopted 18 July 2023
Bi-annual Review
Next Review: July 2025

Employee Disciplinary Procedure

This policy document describes the procedure which aims to facilitate a speedy, fair and consistent solution to an employee’s employment grievance.

First adopted 18 July 2023
Bi-annual Review
Next Review: July 2025

Grievance Policy