The civic year runs from May until April. The agenda is issued by the Proper Officer/Town Clerk 7 days before the Council meeting. You can see a copy of the agenda in the following places: 

• On this website.
• On the Official Noticeboard outside of the Library. 
• On the door to the Council building. 
• On the notice board at the top of the stairs within the Council building. 
• By emailing: town.clerk@alfordtown.com
• In large print and audio by emailing town.clerk@alfordtown.com

The notes of the previous meeting are published 7 days in the same places as you will see the agenda publicised. 

They don't become official minutes until they have been read by the full Council and signed as a true record by the Chair of the Council. 

You can also view paper copies of the signed minutes within the Council Officers. 

Annually, the Council approves the Policies and Procedures for its operational and strategic management. The Proper Officer reviews these monthly to ensure compliance with current legislation. Any proposed changes or amendments are presented to the full council for discussion and approval.

The full council debates, amends, and adopts all policies and procedures on an annual basis.

Every council in the UK adheres to a set of rules that have been agreed upon by the full council. Some of these rules are legally binding and established by the UK Government. All decisions made by the full council must comply with the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations. It is the responsibility of the Proper Officer and the Responsible Financial Officer to ensure that the council is compliant and to advise the full council accordingly.

For expenditures exceeding £100,000, Alford Town Council will conduct a public consultation, which may include focus groups, questionnaires, presentations, or a combination thereof. Public consultation questionnaires are accessible both online and in print.

For any expenditure above £25,000, the council will issue a Tender. The Proper Officer will publicize the contract details and invite interested companies to submit a bid for consideration.

The Proper Officer and Chair will then present the Tenders to the full council, omitting any identifying details. This procedure is designed to prevent any potential bias or prior knowledge councillors might have about the companies.

After the full council reaches a decision, the Proper Officer will perform due diligence on the selected company, verifying references to confirm their professed skills and experience match their Tender submission. Only after this verification will a contract be awarded.

The Alford Town Council consists of 12 volunteer Councillor  positions. At present, there are 10 volunteer Councillors serving, with 2 vacancies available. 

Councillors are required to live, work, or own property in Alford and must be over the age of 18. 

While Alford Town Councillors are not compensated for their service, the Chair receives a modest annual allowance of £750 to cover expenses incurred while attending civic functions and representing Alford at civic meetings across various levels of government.

Financial scrutiny lies at the core of every decision made by the Council. Alford Town Council's income is derived solely from the Precept, market stalls, and the cemetery. The Council takes great pride in having maintained all the services we provide without any reductions.

Risk assessments, including strategic risk assessments, are a crucial aspect of Alford Town Council's operations. For each identified risk, the Council explores mitigation strategies and establishes necessary provisions.

The Asset List enumerates the possessions of the Town Council. It is routinely updated on a monthly basis by the Proper Officer, and is insured and maintained as necessary.

Throughout the year, legal and statutory notices are issued to inform the public about various council compliance matters. This encompasses the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR), the rights to public viewing of accounts and audits, and other regulated notices. These notices are published on this website and displayed on the official noticeboards.

Alford Town Council employs five paid staff members. For information on their roles and the council's organisational structure, please follow the link provided below.

The Annual Town Meeting presents a chance for Alford's community to learn about the Council's activities and the contributions of other local organisations.