Council and Democracy

Welcome to Mendip's Council and Democracy pages.

Please choose from the A-Z list below.

2009 County and European Election Results

Archive Enquiries

To locate a specific document such as an agenda committee report or a set of minutes

Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, a responsibility was placed on Local Authorities as Category One Responders to have in place for themselves business continuity plans so that they would be able to respond in the event of a loss of facilities (premises), support (IT), and personnel (large scale absenteeism due to a pandemic).

Car Parks - Appeal Against a Car Park Excess Charge Notice

You can appeal an Excess Charge Notice if you believe it has been issued unfairly – but there are strict grounds under which an appeal will be considered.

Change of Address

Please use the on line service form to notify the Council of your change of address.

Committee Structure

Communications

Mendip District Council's Communications Team aims to respond quickly and efficiently to all media queries. Press releases are sent out on a regular basis; these are also posted on the council website. The Communications Team also produces the council's newspaper - Your Mendip which is distributed to homes across the district.

Complaints against Councillors

Complaints about councillors in the Mendip area can now be made direct to Mendip District Council. As from 8th May 2008, the responsibility for dealing with complaints about the behaviour of councillors has been taken over by the Council’s Standards Committee. Previously, complaints had to be made to the Standards Board for England.

Compliments, Comments and Complaints

We are committed to providing high quality services that meet the needs of our communities making best use of the available resources. By telling us how we are doing, you can help shape the future of our services.

Consultation

Consultation is about giving our customers and other interested groups and individuals an opportunity to express their views so that these can be taken account of in the Council's decision making.

Contract Management

Mendip District Council operates a range of contracts including one-off purchases, long term service contracts, call off contracts for a specified period and framework contracts where a number of suppliers have met required standards.

Core Strategy

The Core Strategy sets out the vision and objectives that will guide change in the Mendip District over the next 20 years.

Corporate Finance

Corporate Plan 2009-2012

Corporate Policy and Research

Prepares policies and strategies including the Community Strategy and Mendip District Local Plan, gives advice on external funding bids, and collects information, including by consulting local communities, to assist the Council to deliver its priorities.

Corporate Support, Strategy and Research

Corporate Support, Strategy and Research is at the heart of Mendip's drive to providing services that meet the needs of our customers, and we acknowledge that the key to achieving this through effective cross service working.

Council Access Points

Our 5 Council Access Points (CAPs) are providers of advice and information on any matter concerning Mendip District Council, Somerset County Council or Town/Parish services.

Council Tax - Appeals Against Banding

Since 1 December 1993 there are only limited occasions when taxpayers can challenge their Council Tax banding.

Council Tax - Common Questions

Common questions and answers regarding Council Tax.

Council Tax and Finance - General Information

An outline guide to the laws and procedures that govern council tax.

Council Tax Liability

Council Tax can only be charged on a 'chargeable dwelling' (usually a building or part of a building used as a private residence), and there are rules to determine who is liable for the payment.

Customer Services

Customer Services is one of the largest service areas in the Council, and incorporates Customer Services, Information Technology System Administration, Website support and management.

Decision Register

The Council's Constitution sets out some quite specific procedures to be followed when decisions are made by the Cabinet or Area Boards and by individual members of the Cabinet (Portfolio Holders).

Elections - Annual Canvass

District Councils are required by law to appoint an Electoral Registration Officer

Elections - Are You Eligible To Vote

You can only vote in elections if your name is on the Register of Electors, and you are aged eighteen or over.

Elections - County and European

On June 4th 2009 the European Parliament (South West Region) and Somerset County Council elections were held.

Elections - Electoral Register

The Register of Electors, also known as the Electoral Roll or Voters List, is updated each autumn and published on 1st December each year.

Elections - Notice of Polling Stations

The situation of the Polling Stations for a particular election will be displayed on this website in the run up to future elections.

Elections - Postal Voting

Any person who is included in the Register of Electors can apply for a postal vote.

Elections - Proxy Voting

Any person who is included in the Register of Electors can appoint a proxy.

Elections - Publishing Results

Publishing Elections Results.

Elections - Referenda

A referendum is an ' election ' called by the government to ascertain public opinion on a matter of national importance.

Elections - Standing as a Candidate

Anyone can stand for election to either the District Council or local parish/town council.

Electoral Service - Service Standards

The council is responsible for the registration of electors across the Mendip area. This service is carried out in line with legislation and guidelines provided by the relevant government department, and falls into two areas. The first being the Annual Registration and the second being the Rolling Registration for changes during the year.

Emergencies Clean up and Repair

Following an emergency the District Council as a Category One Responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 has a duty to lead in the ‘return to normality’.

Financial Services - Service Standards

Financial Services provides a wide range of services to the Council and it’s customers. The team provides expert advice on the financial impact of the Council’s business and operationally records and reconciles all of the Councils Income and expenditure.

General Election 2010

Mendip District Council manages all elections within the district including those for parish, town and city councillors, district councillors and the MP for the Wells constituency.

Independent Remuneration Panel

The purpose of the Panel is to make recommendations to Mendip District Council on the principles and amounts of Members' Allowances in accordance with Terms of the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003.

Local Statistics

Local Statistics for Mendip and Somerset

Mendip District Council - Vision and Priorities

Mendip District Council Vision and Priorities

Mendip District Council Chief Officers

Mendip District Council Chief Officers.

Mendip District Council, Annual Report 2006/7

This annual report is intended to give council taxpayers, businesses and organisations who work with the Council an overview of the events in 2006/7.

Mendip District Local Plan

A local framework for development up until 2011 in the Mendip area.

Mendip's Community Portal System

Mendip's Community Portal system enables community and voluntary groups to build and maintain their own websites, providing local residents with access to information about active organisations in the district.

Neighbourhood Services

The Neighbourhood Services Group works with a range of partners and agencies to deliver services, for further information please visit the relevant useful page.

Parish and Town Councils

Information on parishes in Mendip.

Performance Management

Re-use of Public Sector Information

The Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations came into force on 1July 2005. The Regulations encourage the re-use of information produced by the public sector especially by the commercial sector.

Service Standards

The council has a core set of service standards which apply to all areas of the council to enable the achievement of the Councils Values and Priorities. Each service area also has a specific set of standards which apply and which should be read together with the corporate and customer service standards.

Council and Democracy

Useful pages