Aims & Objectives
Minehead Town Council is an open and transparent Council, which values the opinions of the community, which it serves. It has in the past, and will continue to do so in the future, listen to the needs and concerns of that community, and will do everything within its power and financial constraints, to make Minehead a better place to live, and work.
Defining the Community
Minehead Town Council is keen to reach all groups and individuals who work, or live in the area. It has historical links with local Church Groups, educational establishments and the many voluntary groups working for the good of the Town, to ensure that as wide a cross section as possible of the community can have access to the Council, its Members, and its staff.
Provision of Information to the Community
Minehead Town Council has many avenues through which it communicates with its community. These include:
A web site that goes beyond the work of the Town Council, and provides links to many other useful services, including the principal authority. An Annual Report which is published on the website. Local news page on the web site. Publishing of Agendas, outside the Town Hall, and on the web site for all Council and Committee Meetings.Publishing of Minutes, on the Council web site, for all Council and Committee Meetings. The Towns involvement in the Annual Town Meeting, with its public question time. The annual External Audit offers the opportunity for questions to be asked about the latest Statement of Accounts. A synopsis of the financial accounts is published within the Annual report.
A web site that goes beyond the work of the Town Council, and provides links to many other useful services, including the principal authority. An Annual Report which is published on the website. Local news page on the web site. Publishing of Agendas, outside the Town Hall, and on the web site for all Council and Committee Meetings.Publishing of Minutes, on the Council web site, for all Council and Committee Meetings. The Towns involvement in the Annual Town Meeting, with its public question time. The annual External Audit offers the opportunity for questions to be asked about the latest Statement of Accounts. A synopsis of the financial accounts is published within the Annual report.
Opportunities for Community Involvement
Minehead Town Council will make every opportunity available to the electorate to ensure excellent community involvement. These will include the following methods:
The Town Council have a public forum session at every Council meeting, where the electorate can raise issues “in relation to the business on the agenda or request matters to be discussed at a subsequent meeting”.
The Town Council have a public forum session at every Council meeting, where the electorate can raise issues “in relation to the business on the agenda or request matters to be discussed at a subsequent meeting”.
Opportunities for Formal Representations to the Council
This “Statement of Intent” has elsewhere listed the many opportunities that exist for the public to make formal representations to the Town Council. Issues received in writing, providing they are received before the deadline for closure of the agenda, are included as a stated item on the next agenda.
It is a target that correspondence received from a member of the public is at least acknowledged, wherever possible, within five working days. Involvement in Partnerships
Minehead Town Council has representation on various partnerships, and committees. Representatives are elected at the Annual Council Meeting. The Town Council encourages and supports public meetings organised by the Police, Health Authority, West Somerset Council and Somerset County Council where they feel information should be made available to the residents of Minehead.
It is a target that correspondence received from a member of the public is at least acknowledged, wherever possible, within five working days. Involvement in Partnerships
Minehead Town Council has representation on various partnerships, and committees. Representatives are elected at the Annual Council Meeting. The Town Council encourages and supports public meetings organised by the Police, Health Authority, West Somerset Council and Somerset County Council where they feel information should be made available to the residents of Minehead.
Role of Council Members and Officers
As an open and transparent Town Council, both Members and Officers seek to offer a high quality professional service to all whom they serve. Both Members and Officers are keen to maintain relevant Codes of Conduct in their business, and see the community as “customers” rather than an electorate.
Specific Areas for Community Involvement
Where there is a specific issue, or a new project, that the Town Council wish to consider, it is of value to the Town Council to seek the views of the community who will be most affected. The residents of the Town can have confidence that their “voice” will be heard, and that the Council will work with the community to reach a common goal.
