Our Assertion 10 for Parish Councils: A Simple Guide helps to explain the new digital and data compliance requirements introduced in the
2025–26 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR).
This new assertion clarifies how parish and town councils should manage email, domains, websites, accessibility, personal data and IT policies. While some of these responsibilities already existed within other governance requirements, Assertion 10 now brings them together clearly as part of the annual governance statement.
Understanding Assertion 10 for parish councils will help councils ensure they have the appropriate systems, policies and procedures in place before approving the AGAR governance statement.
Assertion 10 – Digital and Data Compliance
From the 2025–26 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR), parish and town councils will see a new requirement called Assertion 10 – Digital and Data Compliance.
This new assertion clarifies how councils should manage email, domains, websites, accessibility, personal data and IT policies. While some of these responsibilities already existed under other governance requirements, Assertion 10 brings them together clearly within the AGAR governance statement.
The Full Text of Assertion 10 – Digital and Data Compliance
According to the AGAR guidance, to warrant a positive response to this assertion the authority must have taken the following actions.
Email management
Every authority must have a generic email account hosted on an authority-owned domain, for example:
- clerk@abcparishcouncil.gov.uk
- clerk@abcparishcouncil.org.uk
Authorities should avoid using personal email services such as:
- abcparishclerk@gmail.com
- abcparishclerk@outlook.com
Using a domain-based email system ensures that council communications remain under the authority’s control.
Website accessibility
All smaller authorities (excluding parish meetings) must meet legal accessibility requirements for their websites.
Council websites must comply with:
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA
- Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018
These requirements apply regardless of which domain the website uses.
Publication of council information
Council websites must publish documentation required under:
- the Freedom of Information Act 2000
- the Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities (where applicable)
This ensures residents can access key information about the council.
Publication of council information
Council websites must publish documentation required under:
- the Freedom of Information Act 2000
- the Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities (where applicable)
This ensures residents can access key information about the council.
IT policy requirement
All smaller authorities (excluding parish meetings) must have an IT policy.
An IT policy explains how clerks, councillors and staff should conduct authority business securely when using IT equipment and software.
The policy should cover both:
- authority-owned equipment
- personal devices used for council business
Assertion 10 Is Not Just About Websites and Email
Although many councils first notice Assertion 10 because of the requirements around domains, email and accessible websites, the assertion covers broader digital governance responsibilities.
In practice, Assertion 10 for parish councils is about ensuring that digital systems and data are managed properly.
This includes:
- official council domains and email accounts
- accessible council websites
- publication of public documents
- protection of personal data
- secure use of IT systems
- clear IT policies and procedures
The aim is to ensure that councils manage digital systems in a way that supports transparency, security and good governance.
Preparing for Assertion 10?
Understanding Assertion 10 for parish councils can feel complicated, particularly when it covers areas such as domains, email systems, website accessibility, data protection and IT policies.
At Hightrees Organisation, we understand the technology side of things. You understand how your council works and what your community needs.
By working together we can help make sure your council has the right systems and policies in place to support Assertion 10, without making things unnecessarily complicated.
This might include:
- setting up or managing a .gov.uk domain
- providing secure council email accounts
- ensuring your website meets accessibility requirements
- helping develop a practical council IT policy
- providing reliable hosting and support
We know IT. You know your council. Together we can make sure everything works the way it should.
