Can a financial decision be made at a Parish Council meeting if the item was not on the agenda?

Question

In a nutshell, the Council agreed to pay a Trust Charity £200.00 for the cutting of very overgrown grass and the Council felt it would not be practical to hold the decision until its next meeting in 2 months time.

Thank you so much for your help!

Answer 1

No, I'm afraid that a decision in those circumstances is invalid. The best approach is to anticipate such problems by agreeing rules for delegating decisions to the clerk. No councillor can make a decision except in a properly arranged council meeting, but the clerk can make a decision at any time, although it must be one they have been authorised to make by a council decision. It's sensible to set limits and circumstances for the clerk's discretion, bearing in mind local circumstances, and have the clerk report any delegated decisions at the next council meeting.