MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON FRIDAY 21 MAY 2021 AT STAKEFORD AND BOMARSUND SPORT AND SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRE
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Cllr H Allsopp
Cllr J Foster
Cllr K Grimes
Cllr A Hart
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr A Iley
Cllr J Rowell
Cllr P S Vaughan (Chair)
Cllr L Watson
IN ATTENDANCE:
Ms A Brindley Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer, Mr D L Nicholson Deputy Parish Clerk and County Councillor Ms M Murphy.
C001/21 1. ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
The Parish Clerk reported that several nominations had been received for Councillor P S Vaughan for the position of Chairman. As the sole nominee Cllr P Vaughan was duly elected to serve as Chairman for council year 2021/22.
C002/21 2. TO RECEIVE THE CHAIRMAN’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE.
Cllr P S Vaughan duly signed the declaration.
C003/21 3. THOSE ATTENDING AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
All members in attendance.
C004/21 4. DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER REGISTERABLE PERSONAL INTEREST(S).
No declarations were made.
C005/21 5. THE ELECTION OF A VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
The Parish Clerk reported that several nominations had been received for Councillor J Rowell for the position of Vice Chairman. As the sole nominee Cllr J Rowell was duly elected to serve as Vice-Chairman for Council year 2021/22.
C006/21 6. TO APPOINT REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES.
RESOLVED: Members agreed the following appointments:
- Executive of Northumberland Association of Local Councils and NCC’s Town and Parish Liaison Group – Cllr P S Vaughan.
- National Association of Councillors Management Group – Deputy Parish Clerk, Mr D L Nicholson.
- Choppington Disability Group – Cllr G Huntley and Cllr H Allsopp.
- Stakeford and Bomarsund Welfare – Cllr H Allsopp, Cllr G Huntley, Cllr A Iley and Cllr P S Vaughan (through Principal Authority).
- Choppington Welfare – Cllr A Hart (through Principal Authority).
- West Sleekburn Community Trust – Cllr H Allsopp, Cllr K Grimes, and Cllr L Watson
C007/21 7. TO APPOINT COMMITTEES AND SUB-COMMITTEES.
The Parish Council and agreed the following committee memberships:
Allotment Committee
Membership Cllr H Allsopp, Cllr J Foster, Cllr K Grimes, Cllr A Hart, Cllr G Huntley, Cllr A Iley, Cllr J Rowell, Cllr P Vaughan, Cllr L Watson
Community Development and Environment Committee
Membership Cllr H Allsopp, Cllr J Foster, Cllr K Grimes, Cllr A Hart, Cllr G Huntley, Cllr A Iley, Cllr J Rowell, Cllr P Vaughan, Cllr L Watson
Finance Committee
Membership Cllr H Allsopp, Cllr J Foster, Cllr K Grimes, Cllr A Hart, Cllr G Huntley, Cllr A Iley, Cllr J Rowell, Cllr P Vaughan, Cllr L Watson
Planning Committee
Membership Cllr H Allsopp, Cllr K Grimes, Cllr A Hart, Cllr G Huntley, Cllr A Iley, Cllr J Rowell, Cllr P Vaughan, Cllr L Watson
It was agreed that to avoid potential conflict of interests Cllr J Foster would not serve as a member of the planning committee.
Staffing and Policy Development Committee
Membership Cllr H Allsopp, Cllr J Foster, Cllr K Grimes, Cllr A Hart, Cllr G Huntley, Cllr A Iley, Cllr J Rowell, Cllr P Vaughan, Cllr L Watson
Standing Working Group – Policy Review
Membership Cllr H Allsopp, Cllr A Hart, Cllr A Iley, Cllr L Watson
C008/21 8. Cycle of Meetings.
Members received and adopted a draft schedule of meetings prepared by the Parish Clerk.
C009/21 9. Payroll services.
Members confirmed Northumberland County Council as the payroll provider for 2021/22.
C010/21 10. Asset Register.
Members received a report from the Parish Clerk detailing the additions to the Parish Councils Asset register during council year 2020/21 for inclusion in the end of year accounts.
C011/21 11. Code of Conduct.
The Parish Clerk presented a revised Code of Conduct, based on that adopted by Northumberland County Council. The Parish Clerk explained that in the event of a serious breach of the code, investigation and adjudication would be made through the good offices of the NCC Monitoring Officer and independent panel. In this circumstance resolution of any breach is advantaged by close conformity between the two codes of conduct.
RESOLVED: Members adopted the revised Code of Conduct.
C012/21 12. Play Equipment Supplier.
Members agreed this matter should be considered in the absence of press and public in part 2 of the meeting.
Agenda, Part 2.
Members in consideration of Standing Order 3A and the special and confidential nature of the business to be transacted, resolved the press and public be excluded and asked to withdraw.
C013/21 1. Play Equipment Supplier.
RESOLVED:
- Following examination of the tender documents and being satisfied that all technical criteria had been met, Members agreed to endorse the recommendation of the working group to award the contracts to provide play areas at Liddells Field and Eastgreen, and the Liddells Field MUGA and associated paths to KOMPAN. Reason, the lowest tender received
- It was agreed that KOMPAN will be the preferred supplier for play equipment for the life of this council (2021 to2024).
On conclusion of this item the meeting closed at 19.50
Signed by the Chairman: Dated: