Annual Council Meeting 15th May 2019

It was proposed by Cllr James, seconded by Cllr Maude that Cllr Alan Green be appointed Chairman of the Council for the municipal 2019/20.  There being no other nominations, Cllr Alan Green confirmed he was happy to remain as Chairman and was elected to the position of Chairman unopposed.

Cllr Green signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, witnessed by the Clerk to the Parish Council.

It was proposed by Cllr James & Cllr Gordon that Cllr Maude be appointed as Vice-Chairman.  Cllr Maude was elected to the position of Vice-Chairman unopposed.

Cllr Pattison – it was agreed by Members for Cllr Pattison to sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office at the next Parish Council meeting.

Members were reminded that they must act solely in the public interest and should never improperly confer an advantage or disadvantage on any person or act to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, a friend, or close associate.

Register of Interests:

Members were reminded by the Chairman of the need to keep their register of interests up to date.

Dispensations:

It was resolved that the Council delegates the power to grant dispensations to the Clerk. The power rests with the relevant authority under section 33(1) of the Localism Act 2011 and the basis is set out under section 33(2).

“The parish clerk or the parish council may grant a dispensation to a councillor who has a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest to participate in any discussion of a matter at a meeting and/or to participate in any vote on the matter if they consider that:

a)     so many members of the decision-making body have disclosable pecuniary interests that it would impede the transaction of the business (ie the meeting would be inquorate); or

b)     the authority considers that the dispensation is in the interests of persons living in the authority’s area; or

c)     it is otherwise appropriate to grant a dispensation.

The parish council resolved to extend the provisions of the above paragraph to apply in the same way in the case of a “non-disclosable pecuniary interest” or a “non-pecuniary interest”, as defined in the Code of Conduct, but this is at the discretion of the council.

Dispensations may be granted for

a)     One meeting or

b)     For a period not exceeding 4 years

Declaration of Interests:

Members were asked to disclose any disclosable pecuniary interests in items on the Agenda and their nature.  Councillors with a disclosable pecuniary interest are required to leave the room for the relevant agenda item.

Members were asked to declare any other disclosable interests in items on the Agenda and their nature.

a)     Rights of Way Inspector: Council agreed that Cllr Penn should act as Rights of Way Inspector

b)     Playing Field Inspector: Council agreed that the Clerk should act as Playing Field Inspector

c)     Communications Development Group: Council agreed that Cllrs Pattison, Maude, Green, Gordon & Hickman should act as members of the Communications Development Group.  It was proposed by Cllr Green for Cllr Pattison to remain as Leader of the Working Group with unanimous agreement.

d)     Staffing Committee: The Committee Members recommended this committee is assembled as and when required.   It is recommended that the review of the Clerk should take place by the Chairman. Unanimous approval.

e)     Staffing Appeals Panel: Again, it is recommended that this committee is assembled as and when required.

f)      Streetlight Working Group: Council agreed that Cllrs James, Pattison, Stedman & Green should act as members of the Streetlight Working Group.  It was proposed by Cllr James that Cllr Green remain as Leader of the Working Group with unanimous agreement.

g)     Amenity Contract Working Group:  Council agreed that Cllrs Pattison, Shale, Hickman & Green should act as members of the Amenity Contract Working Group, along with the Clerk.  It was proposed by Cllr Maude that Cllr Green be the Leader of the Working Group with unanimous agreement.

h)     Christmas Switch On Event: Council agreed that Cllrs Pattison, Gordon & Penn should act as members of the Christmas Switch On Event Working Group.  It was proposed by Cllr James that Cllr Pattison be the Leader of the Working Group with unanimous agreement.

i)      Community Infrastructure Levy Working Group: Council agreed that Cllrs Stedman, Shale, James, Green & Gordon.  It was proposed by Cllr Green that Cllr James be the Leader of the Working Group with unanimous agreement.

a)     Memorial Hall Committee: Cllr Gordon was nominated and agreed by Council.

b)     TOPS Management Committee: Cllrs Maude & Gordon were nominated and agreed by Council.

c)     Youth Club Committee: Cllrs Maude & Gordon was nominated and agreed by Council.

d)     Perkin’s Educational Foundation: Council noted that the Councils current representatives on the Perkin’s Educational Foundation were Mrs Dilys King, Dr Stephen Roberts, District Councillor Mark Cargill & Mrs Katie Kavanagh.

e)     Cross Parish Cycle & Pathways Project: Cllr Maude was nominated and agreed by Council.

a)     Standing Orders:  Cllr Stedman suggested an amendment to SO3(s) to allow voting by paper ballot when appropriate.  All Members agreed.  No further amendments to be made.

b)    Financial Regulations: No amendments to be made.

c)     The content and values of the Council’s asset register were considered and were deemed accurate by all Members.  Cllrs Stedman & James to carry out a check on the assets and report back to the September meeting.  They will also review the insurance values.

d)     The suitability of the Council’s Risk Management Policy was considered.  It was decided to change the grading from low to medium on point 21, and make a slight amendment to point 18.  This was agreed by all Members once these amendments have been actioned.

e)     It was noted the Council’s insurance policy has been renewed for a further year, as per the 3 year long term agreement with Zurich.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 19:50