How independent is the Parish Clerk?

Question

The parish clerk has submitted a capital grant application to the principal authority without the prior knowledge of Members. There are no explicit instructions in Standing Orders or minutes delegating that responsibility. Would this normally be acceptable practice?

Answer 1

Your question brings up more questions....  what is the grant application for?  A Clerk acts on the instructions of the Full Council and should maintain independence from Borough / District Councils as well as individual Councillors.  A Clerk is there to support the Council in its duties.  In order to apply for a grant, quite often there has to be a minute reference or supporting letters from the Parish Council, Borough Councillors etc to go with the application as well as a commitment from the Council to match fund (you never get 100% grants!).  So unless there is express instuction from the Council, then a Clerk should not be applying for any money.