Council and Democracy

Welcome to Mendip's Council and Democracy pages.

Please choose from the A-Z list below.

Archive Enquiries

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

Asset Management is a statutory function within the Council. At Mendip District Council asset management is broken down into three different types - Strategic Asset Management, Asset Maintenance and Operational Management

Becoming a District Councillor

Imagine being hailed as the one who fought and won your community campaign or gave your neighbours the support to speak up for their rights. This is all part of the role of a district councillor, and you could become part of that community voice if you put yourself forward for election.

Best Value

The essence of Best Value is the continuous improvement in service quality.

Business Continuity Support

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 Instant Fine Ticket/Excess Charge Notice

You can appeal an Instant Fine Ticket/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 Services

Staff in Committee Services provide support to Mendip's principal Committees and Panels, including agenda preparation / distribution, arranging venues and attending meetings. Most importantly, the Committee Officers record the decisions made by the Councillors in the form of minutes.

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

We pride ourselves on being a forward thinking Council, providing services of the highest quality, in line with our customer needs. By telling us how we are doing, you can help shape the future of our services.

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.

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.

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 Finance.

Corporate Organisation

The Council's corporate organisation structure.

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.

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.

Current Reviews under the Licensing Act 2003

Details of any current review applications

Customer Service Standards

To make sure that you receive the best possible service from Mendip District Council we have introduced a set of standards that set out the level of service that you can expect when contacting us.

Customer Services, Advice and Information

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

Data Protection Act 1998

The Data Protection Act 1998 is designed to ensure that personal information held by the Council is handled securely and correctly in line with the eight Data Protection Principles. The Council’s Data Protection Policy sets out how we will handle your personal information.

Declaration of Councillors' Interests

All members of the District or Parish Councils must register their interests within 28 days of being elected or appointed as a member, and must also make apprioprate declaration of interests at meetings

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 - 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

Elections - Notice of Polling Stations.

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 Services - Annual Canvass

Each autumn District Councils are required to conduct a full canvass of all domestic properties within their area and then publish the Register of Electors on 1st December each 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’.

Emergency Out of Hours Services

Mendip District Council offers a emergency out of hours service after 18:00 and before 08:00 to make sure you can contact the council if you need to in an emergency.

Freedom of Information - Freedom of Information Act 2000

The public has new rights of access to information held by the Council with the advent of the Freedom of Information Act 2000

Glastonbury St Edmunds District & Parish By-election Timetable

Glastonbury St Edmunds District & Parish By-election Timetable September 13th 2007

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 Elections 2007 - Results

All results for Parish and District elections.

Local Statistics

Local Statistics for Mendip and Somerset.

Members' Allowances Scheme

How Are Allowances Set? The allowance scheme can only be set or amended by the Full Council.

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.

Officers - Mendip District Council Chief Officers

Our Mendip District Council Chief Officers.

Parish and Town Councils

Information on parishes in Mendip.

Portfolio Holders

Portfolio Holders are members of the Cabinet which have been assigned special areas of responsibility for each of the Business Units.

Princes Road / Priory Road, Wells

A development company called Centros Miller are exploring ideas to redevelop land in the area of east of Priory Road and north and south of Princes Road for a mix uses including retail, leisure and bus facilities. This follows the acquisition of a number of sites in the area (by their funding partners Development Securities). The national development company has entered into a six month agreement with the Council and Tesco to progress background studies and carry out public consultation to inform the production of draft plans for further consideration.

Regeneration

Regeneration aims to enhance the vitality and viability of the Mendip District area. The work includes town centre management, providing employment opportunities, bringing forward development sites, enhancing existing business opportunities in the district and promoting tourism.

Council and Democracy

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