MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 13 MAY 2025 AT STAKEFORD AND BOMARSUND SPORT AND SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRE
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Cllr H Allsopp
Cllr K Burn
Cllr A Cottrell
Cllr D FitzGerald
Cllr J Foster
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr J Rowell (Chairman)
Cllr L Watson
IN ATTENDANCE:
Ms A Brindley Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer, Mr D L Nicholson Deputy Parish Clerk, Mr D Iley Finance Assistant, Mr R Delap Operations Manager Mr P S Vaughan (retiring Chair)
CO01/25 1. ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
Mr P Vaughan opened the meeting. The Parish Clerk reported that 4 nominations had been received for Councillor J Rowell for the position of Chairman. As the sole nominee Cllr J Rowell was duly elected to serve as Chairman for council year 2025/26
Councillor D FitzGerald left the meeting for a prior engagement.
CO02/25 2. DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
- Eight members present had completed the declaration of office before the meeting however Cllr Martin Jackson was on holiday and had been unable to make his declaration.
RESOLVED: That Cllr Jackson sign his declaration of office before the next meeting of the Parish Council.
- Councillor J Rowell duly signed declaration of acceptance of office of Chairman
C0O3/24 3. THOSE ATTENDING AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies were received Cllr M Jackson for leave
The meeting accepted this as a valid reason for absence.
CO04/25 4. DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER REGISTERABLE PERSONAL INTEREST(S).
There were no declarations
CO05/25 5. PUBLIC QUESTIONS.
No public questions had been submitted
C006/25 6. TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF 08 MAY 2024 (reported previously to the Parish Council meeting of 29 MAY)
The minutes were received by the Parish Council.
C007/25 7. THE ELECTION OF A VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
The Parish Clerk reported that 4 nominations had been received for Councillor L Watson for the position of Vice Chairman. As the sole nominee Cllr L Watson was duly elected to serve as Vice-Chairman for Council year 2025/26.
CO08/25 8. 1. TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO SERVE ON COMMITTEES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL.
As the Council only has 9 councillors, all members are automatically appointed to all committees unless individual Councillors wish to withdraw their nominations. Cllrs Foster advised that due to new work commitments she may not be available to attend committee meetings and requested that she is removed as a Committee member. Cllr Burn advised that due to her new work commitments she may be required to withdraw her membership during the year. The Parish Council agreed the following committee memberships:
Committee Allotment Committee
Membership
Cllr H Allsopp
Cllr A Cottrell
Cllr D FitzGerald
Cllr K Burn
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr M Jackson
Cllr J Rowell
Cllr L Watson
Committee Community Development and Environment Committee
Membership
Cllr H Allsopp
Cllr A Cottrell
Cllr D FitzGerald
Cllr K Burn
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr M Jackson
Cllr J Rowell
Cllr L Watson
Committee Finance Committee
Membership
Cllr H Allsopp
Cllr A Cottrell
Cllr D FitzGerald
Cllr K Burn
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr M Jackson
Cllr J Rowell
Cllr L Watson
Committee Planning Committee
Membership
Cllr H Allsopp
Cllr A Cottrell
Cllr D FitzGerald
Cllr K Burn
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr M Jackson
Cllr J Rowell
Cllr L Watson
Committee Staffing and Policy Development Committee
Membership
Cllr H Allsopp
Cllr A Cottrell
Cllr D FitzGerald
Cllr K Burn
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr M Jackson
Cllr J Rowell
Cllr L Watson
- TERMS OF REFERENCE
Terms of reference for all committees were accepted.
CO09/25 9. TO APPOINT REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES.
RESOLVED: Members agreed the following appointments:
This appointment is reserved for the Chairman. Cllr J Rowell appointed to the executive of Northumberland Association of Local Councils.
Cllrs H Allsopp and G Huntley appointed to serve on the committee of Choppington Disability Group.
Cllrs H Allsopp, G Huntley and J Foster appointed to serve as trustees to Stakeford and Bomarsund Sport and Social Welfare Centre.
Cllrs H Allsopp, L Watson and K Burns appointed to serve as Trustees of West Sleekburn Community Trust.
Cllr G Huntley appointed as delegate to the National Association of Councils to complete term as Chairman of English Region
Members agreed that consideration of any other vacancies arising during the year will be delegated to the Parish Clerk in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Council.
CO10/25 10. CYCLE OF MEETINGS FOR 2025/26.
Members received a draft schedule of meetings and agreed the schedule.
CO11/25 11. PAYROLL SERVICES for 2025/26.
Current payroll providers are Northumberland County Council which provides a complete payroll service including liaising with HRMC and the pension agency
RESOLVED: Members approved Northumberland County Council as the payroll services provider for 2025/26.
CO12/25 12. APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR 2025/26.
The Council’s internal auditor is Susan Saunders who is the Clerk at 3 smaller Parish Councils, is AAT qualified and runs her own accountancy business. She has also completed a SLCC training qualification on the Principles of Internal Auditing.
RESOLVED: Members approved the reappointment of Susan Saunders as Auditor.
CO13/25 13. APPOINTMENT OF EXTERNAL AUDITOR FOR 2025/26
Under the Local Audit (Smaller Authorities) Regulations 2015, the Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments (SAAA) is responsible for appointing external auditors to all opted-in smaller authorities. The SAAA has appointed Mazars as the Council’s external auditor. Any member with a personal conflict with this appointment should advise the Clerk.
RESOLVED: Members acknowledged the re-appointment of Mazars accountancy firm as the authority’s external auditor.
CO14/25 14. REVIEW OF INVESTMENT POLICY.
The Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer presented the councils investment policy, explaining that the policy informs the Parish Council’s annual investment strategy for the year to come. The policy concentrates on low-risk investments that spreads risk and affords protection for Parish Council funds.
The PC/RFO stated that transfers to and from the ‘investment’ account will be reported to the Finance Committee. This policy is displayed on the website
RESOLVED: Members confirmed the investment policy attached to these minutes.
CO15/25 15. REVIEW OF INVESTMENT STRATEGY.
Due to the special and confidential nature of the business to be discussed, the meeting resolved to discuss this in part 2 of the agenda.
CO16/25 16. ANNUAL STATEMENT OF RISK 2025/26.
The Parish Clerk presented the annual statement of risk for 2025/26 bringing to the attention of the meeting any updates from the previous year.
RESOLVED: The meeting accepted the statement as presented.
CO17/25 17. ASSET REGISTER.
The parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer presented the list of fixed assets for inclusion in the year end accounts to date.
Resolved: Members reviewed the list of fixed assets approving their inclusion in the year end accounts to date, to be reviewed and finalised at the meeting on 28 May 2025 .
CO18/25 18. REVIEW OF STANDING ORDERS.
The Parish Clerk presented Standing Orders highlighting the changes as requested at the Annual Meeting of 8th May 2024.
RESOLVED: Members approved Standing Orders.
CO19/25 19. REVIEW OF FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
The Clerk presented the updated Financial Regulations for approval
RESOLVED: Members approved Financial Regulations
CO20/25 20. AUTHORISED SIGNATORIES
Due to the special and confidential nature of the business to be discussed, the meeting resolved to discuss this in part 2 of the agenda.
CO21/25 ELECTRONIC SUMMONSES.
Under the Local Government (Electronic Communications) England Order 2015, Members are offered the opportunity to request to receive summonses electronically.
RESOLVED: No member requested an electronic summons therefore all members present to receive summons as hard copies
Agenda, Part 2.
Members in consideration of Standing Order 3 and the special and confidential nature of the business to be transacted, resolved the press and public be excluded and asked to withdraw.
CO22/24 Consideration of any matters referred from Agenda Part 1.
CO15/24 REVIEW OF INVESTMENT STRATEGY.
RESOLVED: Members reviewed the investment strategy, resolving that the Finance committee consider any transfers to our higher yield account during the year.
CO23/25 AUTHORISED SIGNATORIES
CO20/25 Members agreed that signatories include the Chairman, Vice Chairman and members easily available.
Current account 2 out of 4 existing signatories had left the Council and were replaced with LW and AC
Higher yield account 2 out of 4 existing signatories had left the Council and were replaced with JR and LW
There was no further business to be considered under Agenda Part 2
On conclusion of this item the meeting closed at 7.00 pm
Signed by the Chairman: Date