.
Standing Orders
Standing Orders are the written rules of a Council. They are used to confirm a Council’s internal organisational, administrative and procurement procedures and procedural matters for meetings. Although it is not a legal requirement it is recognised as good practice.
The Council reviews its Standing Orders annually, and they were last accepted on Wednesday 22nd October 2025.
Policies
To view Appleby Town Councils GDPR Policies and information on how Data is handled, click here.
To view Appleby Town Council Financial Regulations, click here.
All policies are regularly reviewed by Appleby Town Council. The below policies are current.
Community Engagement
The Council is committed to community engagement and supports and encourages the community to share their aspirations for the town with the Council.
Equality and Diversity
The aim of this policy is to communicate the commitment of the Council, its Councillors and employees to meeting the Public Sector Equality Duty, which came into force on 5th April 2011.
Volunteer Policy
Appleby-in-Westmorland Town Council is committed to the safety and support of volunteers who join the Council team. All volunteers should be made to feel included, managed, motivated, and valued.
Social Media for Councillors Policy
The guidance outlined in this policy can help Councillors to use social media in connection with their work as a councillor, and to avoid any issues that might arise, as well as ensuring the use is effective, lawful and not compromising Council business or information.
Media
The purpose of this policy is to define the roles and responsibilities within the Council for working with the media and deals with the day-to-day relationship between the Council and the media.
Electronic Communications Policy
This policy helps to ensure that all electronic discussions are productive and in line with Appleby Town Council’s Code of Conduct, and the GDPR policies (Data Protection Policy, Document Retention Policy and Privacy Policy).
Safeguarding Policy
This policy outlines how Appleby Town Council protects vulnerable people from harm, and what measures will be taken in the instance of non-compliance. This policy is applicable to all members of Appleby Town Council, including councillors, staff, volunteers and visitors.
Health and Safety
The Council recognises and accepts its responsibilities as an employer for providing a safe and healthy working environment for all its employees, contractors, voluntary helpers and others who may be affected by the activities of the Council.
Fire Safety Policy
The Council recognises and acknowledges its responsibility to take general precautions to protect the safety, so far as reasonably practicable, of its employees and anyone else potentially affected by its undertaking, against fire, dangerous substances which could give rise to fire and the effects of fire.
Risk Assessment:
In accordance with the Financial Regulations the Council has a Risk Assessment which it updates and reviews annually.
IT Policy
The purpose of Appleby Council’s IT policy is to establish clear parameters for how Councillors and staff use council-provided technology or equipment in the course of their duties
Civility and Respect Pledge
The intimidation, abuse, bullying and harassment of councillors, clerks, and council staff, in person or online, is unacceptable, whether by councillors, clerks, council staff, or public members. The effect of this bullying can prevent councils from running efficiently, councillors from representing local people, discourage people from interacting with the council and undermine trusts in local authority.
Within our local government sector, concerns have increased about the impact bullying, harassment, and intimidation are having on local councils, councillors, clerks, and council staff. A Civility and Respect working group has therefore been set up combat these concerns and to oversee the Civility and Respect Project.
Appleby Town Council pledges the council will treat councillors, clerks, employees, members of the public, and representatives of partner organisations and volunteers with civility and respect in their roles and that it:
- Has put in place a training programme for councillors and staff
- Has signed up to the Code of Conduct for councillors
- Has good governance arrangements in place including staff contracts and a dignity at work policy
- Will seek professional help at the early stages should civility and respect issues arise
- Will commit to calling out bullying and harassment if and when it happens
- Will continue to learn from best practices in the sector and aspire to be a role model/champion council through for example the local Local Council Award Scheme
- Supports the continued lobbying for change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect Pledge including sanctions for elected members where appropriate
