{"id":319,"date":"2025-02-26T19:21:06","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T19:21:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parishcouncil.chiltontowncouncil.co.uk\/wordpress_J\/?page_id=319"},"modified":"2026-04-27T12:43:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T11:43:28","slug":"policies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/index.php\/policies\/","title":{"rendered":"Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ inner_shadow=”on” admin_label=”About” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#003366″ transform_origin=”52%|48%” min_height=”257px” height=”202px” max_height=”107px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_css_free_form=”main-content” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”85%” max_width=”1402px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|10px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”40px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#ff9900″ header_font=”Comfortaa|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”34px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Policies<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Verdana||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffcc99″ custom_margin=”-27px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Our parish policies are here to keep things running smoothly and make sure everyone feels heard and included. Think of them as the ground rules for building a better community together. Take a look and see how we\u2019re working to make our parish a great place to live!<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/R.webp” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-7px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Verdana||||||||” custom_padding=”||20px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Welcome to the heart of our parish council’s decision-making! Our policies are here to ensure everything runs smoothly, fairly, and with our community’s best interests at heart. Whether it\u2019s about governance, planning, or community initiatives, these guidelines keep us on track and help shape a thriving parish for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n

We believe in transparency<\/strong> and accountability<\/strong>. That\u2019s why all our policies are available for you to explore. They cover a range of topics, from how we make decisions to how we address issues that matter most to our residents.<\/span><\/p>\n

By staying informed, you can see how your council is working to support the community and make decisions that reflect our shared values. These policies are living documents, evolving as our parish grows and adapts to new challenges and opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

So dive in, get to know the groundwork, and see how we\u2019re working together to make our parish a fantastic place to live, work, and connect.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Governance & Compliance” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|Playfair Display_weight|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”20px” background_color=”#003366″ min_height=”88.4px” custom_padding=”17px|0px|0px||false|false” border_width_all=”13px” border_color_all=”#e39a33″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Code-of-Conduct-May-2025.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Code of Conduct” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Communications-Policy.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Communications Policy” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Complaints-Policy-July-2024.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Complaints Policy” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Co-option-Policy-Voting-Procedure.pdf” button_text=”Co-option Policy & Voting Procedure” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”17px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-Data-Protection-Policy.pdf” button_text=”Data Protection Policy” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”17px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HR-Data-Protection-Policy.pdf” button_text=”Data Protection HR Policy” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”17px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Dignity-at-Work-Policy-March-2023.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Dignity at Work Policy” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Document-Retention-and-Destruction-Policy-updated-Feb-2026.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Document Retention and Destruction Policy” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Equality-and-Diversity-Policy.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Equality and Diversity Policy” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Financial-Regulations-May-2025.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Financial Regulations” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Freedom-of-Information-Policy.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Freedom-of-Information Policy” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Health-and-Safety-Policy.pdf” button_text=”Health & Safety Policy” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Standing-Orders-May-2025.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Standing Orders” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Publication-Scheme.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Publication Scheme” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Digital Compliance” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|Playfair Display_weight|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”20px” background_color=”#003366″ min_height=”88.4px” custom_padding=”17px|0px|0px||false|false” border_width_all=”13px” border_color_all=”#e39a33″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IT-Policy.pdf” button_text=”IT Policy” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”17px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Accessibility-Statement.pdf” button_text=”Website Accessibility Statement” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”17px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#121e42″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”width:100%;” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ header_2_font=”–et_global_heading_font||||||||” header_2_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”23px||||false|false” text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#0C71C3″]<\/p>\n

ASSERTION 10<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Assertion 10 confirms that the Council has proper arrangements for digital governance, data protection, secure communication and IT management.<\/strong> Bishop Middleham Parish Council complies by:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • operating a secure .gov.uk website<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
  • using an official contact address (parishclerk@bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk<\/strong>),<\/li>\n
  • ensuring the Parish Clerk and all Councillors use @bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk email accounts<\/strong> for council business, and:<\/li>\n
  • applying its Data Protection<\/strong>, Document Retention<\/strong>, FOI<\/strong>, Publication Scheme<\/strong>, IT Policies <\/strong>and ensuring our Accessibility Statement <\/strong>is accurate and up to date.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    PoliciesOur parish policies are here to keep things running smoothly and make sure everyone feels heard and included. Think of them as the ground rules for building a better community […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-319","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-07 01:30:26","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=319"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1744,"href":"https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/319\/revisions\/1744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bishopmiddleham-pc.gov.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}