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<p>My Department receives correspondence on a wide range of issues about Parish Councils.
<br><br></p><p>Complaints or concerns regarding a parish council’s behaviour can be
made in a number of ways; by utilising the parish council’s complaints procedure,
raising the matter at a parish meeting, pointing out concerns during the public inspection
period of accounts for the audit, or by joining with a group of local electors to
call for a parish poll on the issue. It is for the parish council concerned to consider
the evidence raised in any of the above public representation and to take action inline
with statute and their standing orders/complaints procedures.</p><p> </p><p>In addition,
parish councils, like all tiers of government, must act within the law at all times,
if a decision is considered unlawful, it may be challenged by the courts. Ultimately,
if a council fails to carry out its statutory duties it will be accountable for its
actions and decisions through the ballot box.<br><br>Our proposed Transparency Code
for parish councils and smaller authorities seeks to increase the openness and accessibility
of council papers and minutes by making them accessible online.</p>
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