About HAPTC

MISSION STATEMENT

The Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils exists to protect and promote the interests, rights, function and privileges of member councils; to support members in the performance of their duties and to promote and develop the social, cultural and recreational life of their areas. It also exists to promote a widespread and well informed interest in local government.    HAPTC Constitution 

HAPTC supports the work of the Council as a body through offering advice and guidance via the Clerk on its behalf. In responding to correspondence from individuals we will generally copy in the Clerk, as the proper officer of the Council, for its information.

 

Benefits to Parish and own Councils of being a member of HAPTC.  Established over 60 years ago, HAPTC is a membership organisation which provides legal, financial and procedural advice to member Parish and Town Councils and Parish Meetings, within Hertfordshire.

Our leaflet Benefits of membership outlines the role of HAPTC and the services we provide to our members.

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An additional role of HAPTC is to represent local councils on many bodies where it is desirable to have a delegate but impracticable for every Parish and Town Council to be included.  HAPTC will play a strategic role in the promotion of Parish and Town Councils at District, County, Region and National level.

 

 

The Association has representatives on the following bodies:

East of England Association of Parish & Town Councils (EEAPTC)

Hertfordshire Environmental Forum

Hertfordshire Rural Forum

Herts Arts

Herts Forward

Local Transport Plan Strategic Group

Luton Airport Consultative Committee

HESMIC (Hertfordshire Emergency Services Major Incident Committee)

National Association of Local Councils (NALC)

Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC)

Business Link

 

As part of the National Training Strategy, HAPTC has established a Hertfordshire County Training Partnership with our partners; the Society of Local Council Clerks (who represent the Clerks of Parish and Town Councils). Together we have developed a range of courses providing training to Councillors and Clerks delivered by experts in their field. These will provide essential training to those new to local council work and development sessions for those more experienced.

Member councils receive advice through the publication of our monthly newsletter together with receipt of the quarterly Local Council Review (a national publication by NALC).  Our legal and procedural advice is bonded and can be provided following a written request to HAPTC on specific matter and general issues are covered via Legal Topic Notes. This service is available to our members only and will be continually improved through the development of our members only web page.

Parish and Town Councils represent their local communities and are being encouraged to take on a more active role in the provision of public services and representation. It is the function of HAPTC to support member councils in the increasing challenges they face.

NALC

Through membership to the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) the interests of member councils are addressed with central government and are able to influence the decision marking processes affecting Parish and Town Councils.  NALC also provide regular policy and procedural updates for dissemination of Member Councils through the County Association.   HAPTC is affiliated to NALC.

EEAPTC

EEAPTC consists of the East of England County Associations - Bedfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.

The objectives are to secure a strong regional voice for the East of England in relation to regional, national and international issues.  It determines and promotes a regional perspective on national issues affecting local government.