Full Council Meeting

To receive nominations and elect a Chairman of the Council.

For the Chairmans Declaration of Office to be signed and witnessed by the Clerk and Proper Officer.

To receive apologies for absence and consider if the reason for absence should be formally approved by the Council.

Members are reminded that at the start of the meeting they should declare any known interests in any matter to be considered, and also during the meeting if it becomes apparent that they have an interest in the matters being discussed.

To receive nominations and elect a Vice Chair of the Council.

To receive and resolve that the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 25 March 2026 are a true record of the meeting.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Council.

For the Chairman to announce the Chairmans Charity for the new Council year.

Members of the public are invited to make representations to the Stratton St Margaret Parish Council on any matters relating to the work of the Council. Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.

For members to receive Council Co-option requests from:

Alison Foley 
Anne Brooker
Pratap Mane
Zaman Chowdhury
Chris Van Roon

Members are reminded that there are two ward vacancies available: 1 x Lower Coleview and 1 x Coleview.

To agree to adopt Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.

To agree to adopt the General Power of Competence.

The General Power of Competence (GPC), introduced by the Localism Act 2011, allows eligible local councils in England to do anything an individual may generally do, provided it is not prohibited by other legislation. It enables innovation, income generation, and improved community service delivery without needing specific statutory powers.

To adopt GPC, a council must meet two criteria:

1. At least two-thirds of Councillors must be elected
2. Qualified Clerk

For members to resolve to adopt the Code of Conduct.

The code of Conduct can be found here: https://www.strattonstmargaret.gov.uk/your-council/policies/

For members to resolve the Council policies for the upcoming Council year:

Community Engagement Policy
Safeguarding Policy
Habitual and Vexatious Policy
Environmental Policy
Biodiversity Action Plan Policy
Tree Maintenance Policy
Model Publication Scheme
Flag Flying Policy
Risk Management Scheme
Equality and Diversity Policy
Health and Safety Policy
Data Protection Policy
Privacy Notice
Complaints Procedure
These can be found by following this link: https://www.strattonstmargaret.gov.uk/your-council/policies/

Minibus Policy https://www.strattonstmargaret.gov.uk/minibus-hire/

IT Policy and Investment Policy (attached)

To receive and approve the following:
- Detailed Income & Expenditure by Budget Heading 31.03.26 - attached
- Cash and Investment Reconciliation as at 31.03.26 – attached
- List of Payments between 01.02.26 - 31.03.26 - attached
- Receipts between 01.02.26 - 31.03.26 - attached

For members to resolve to sign the Assertion 10.

For this to be signed by the Chairman and the Responsible Finance Officer.

For members to recieve and note the 2025/26 final audit report and certificate.

The 2015 Regulations require that the Annual Governance Statement is approved before the Accounting Statement and has to appear on the agenda prior to the approval of the Accounting Statement.

To approve the Annual Governance Statement for 2025/26 (section 1 on the Annual Return).

For members to witness the signing of this document by the Chairman and Clerk.

To approve the Accounting Statements for 2025/26 (section 2 on the Annual Return)

For members to witness the signing of this document by the Chairman and Responsible Finance Officer.

For members to receive the report from the Responsible Finance Officer. 

Members to resolve the Ear Marked Reserves for the financial year 2026-27.

To review the Terms of Reference for the Council Committees and appoint members to these committees:

Finance and General Purposes Committee: 15 members
Open Spaces Committee: 15 members
Property Management Committee: 15 members
Planning and Highways Committee: 15 members
Youth and Community Committee: 15 members

Terms of Reference to be agreed can be found here: https://www.strattonstmargaret.gov.uk/your-council/policies/

For members to receive and note the schedule of meetings for the upcoming Council year.

Due to the confidential nature of the following items to be dealt with after the public (including the press) have been excluded as publicity would prejudice the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.

This item is in place to allow members to decide the outcome of Co-option if required.

For members to review the Tender Document from the Deputy Clerk and to approve whether to take this project to tender or not.

The next meeting of the Council will be held 1 July 2026 at 7.00 pm at Meadowcroft Community Centre.