Power of Wellbeing

Parish Councils are now able to apply the power of well-being but there are some criteria which they must fulfil before they can resolve to take up the powers.

Below is just a snapshot of the requirements.  To get the full guidance click on Communities and Local Government website link at the foot of the page.

Eligibility Criteria

The Council must have:
• a qualified clerk
• a minimum of two-thirds of vacancies on the council filled at the last
ordinary elections
• eighty per cent of councillors trained in the use of the well-being
power; and
• published a statement of intent as to community engagement

Period of Eligibility

If the Council can meet the criteria and has passed a resolution to this effect, it will be eligible to use the well-being power from the day it passes the  resolution until the day before the next relevant annual meeting of the council.

The relevant annual meeting is usually that annual meeting that is held by the council in a year of ordinary elections, so that the eligibility period will usually last for a maximum of four years.  To continue to be eligible - the Council must ensure that it still meets all the criteria and pass another resolution.

Links with Other Organisations' Sustainable Community Strategies

In addition to meeting the criteria, a Council must "have regard" to the Sustainable Community Strategies produced by their principal Councils.  The ambitions contained within both tiers plans will have common goals.

Below are some links to both the County and District Strategies together with details for Clerks' training.

http://www.staffordshirepartnership.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/B62AA47B-EF6F-45C7-A858-8A216BA383BF/81197/FinalSustainableCommunityStrategyJune2008.pdf

http://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=542&documentID=511

http://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/Services/Lists/LSP%20Latest%20News/DispForm.aspx?ID=1

http://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=376

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/scs

http://consult.staffordbc.gov.uk/portal/planning/cs/options?pointId=1204550798922

http://lsp.sstaffs.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=6866

http://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=580

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/powertopromote

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/formativeevaluation

http://www.nalc.gov.uk/Training/CiLCA.aspx

Last Modified: 11/12/2009 08:35:19
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