Parish Council Meeting Agenda
Parish Councillors are summoned to
A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
| DATE: | TUESDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2021 |
| TIME: | 7:30PM |
| NOTE VENUE: | MEETING TO BE HELD REMOTELY, VIA VIDEO-LINK PLATFORM: ZOOM ACCESS DETAILS: Click the link to join https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85652233849 Enquiries to: Clerk: Carol Jones Phone: 01270 812065 |
Signed:  | Date of Issue: 28 January 2021 |
| Notes for Members of the Public: 1. This meeting is being held remotely in accordance with regulations made under S.78 of the Coronavirus Act 2020. There are, therefore, no paper copies of the agenda or the accompanying documents. 2. All documents (other than those which are restricted) can be accessed from the Parish Council’s website – www.cholmondeley-chorley.co.uk. |
1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Members to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest or non-pecuniary interest which they have in any item of business on the agenda, the nature of that interest, and in respect of disclosable interests, to leave the meeting prior to the discussion of that item.
Whilst the Clerk can advise on the Code of Conduct and its interpretation, the decision to declare, or not, is the responsibility of the Parish Councillor, based on the particular circumstances.
3 MINUTES
To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2020 and the Extra-ordinary meeting held on 17 December 2020.
4 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
In accordance with the Parish Council’s Standing Orders (i.e. its Constitution) members of the public are able to ask a question of make a statement, both of which must relate to matters with fall within the remit of the Parish Council.
5 VACANCIES ON THE PARISH COUNCIL
5.1 Resignation of Councillor
To report that Councillor C Farquharson has resigned as a Parish Councillor. This vacancy (Chorley Parish) has been notified to Cheshire East Council which will advertise the two vacancies (to include the vacancy caused by Chris Crossley’s resignation) inviting 10 electors to call a by-election. Owing to Covid restrictions, no election can be held before 6 May 2021.
5.2 Seats on the Parish Council
There are 11 seats on the Parish Council: 6 for Cholmondeley and 5 for Chorley. The current position is as follows:
Chorley: Four seats filled: One vacancy (Councillors Baker, Gresty, Hopley and Nickson)
Cholmondeley: Four seats filled: Two vacancies (Councillors Fennell, Keys, Langton and Probin)
5.3 Co-option to Vacancy
A resident of the parish has expressed interest in being co-opted onto the Parish Council. Her name is Isabel Cundy, and she will be in attendance at the meeting. As there are vacancies in both parishes, she will be able to indicate which parish would be most appropriate for her.
One of the Cholmondeley vacancies is a consequence of insufficient candidates putting themselves forward at the May 2019 elections, and this is therefore not a casual vacancy and the Parish Council can co-opt to it. The single vacancy in Chorley is, however, a casual vacancy, and the process of advertising the vacancy to give the opportunity for electors to call a by-election, must proceed according to the regulations.
It is suggested that Ms Cundy be asked to make a brief oral presentation indicating why she wishes to be a parish councillor. Members will then be able to ask questions of her; these should not be of a personal nature.
It will then be for a Member to propose the nomination, and for it to be seconded. A vote will then be taken. The Parish Council has the option of holding a secret ballot and as the meeting is via Zoom, the best method would be for Members to forward their vote by email to the Clerk. Alternatively, Members can vote openly in the meeting.
The meeting would be paused to allow the Clerk to count the votes.
The meeting will then resume, and the Clerk will announce the results.
If co-opted, Ms Cundy will be asked to sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office (which will be provided to her prior to the meeting). She will then need to show that to the camera as the regulations require that the Declaration must be signed in the presence of the Parish Council.
Ms Cundy would then be able to participate fully in the meeting.
6 FINANCIAL MATTERS – PAYMENTS
The Parish Council is asked to ratify the following payment:
| £142.80 | JDH Business Services Ltd. – internal audit 2019-20 (£119.00 net and £23.80 VAT) |
| £100.00 | Payment made at the last meeting to Councillor A D Fennell as early payment of Chairman’s allowance which is in the budget for 2021-22 |
7 ITEM REQUESTED BY COUNCILLOR C BAKER
To consider providing a hosted web page service on the PC website to local businesses.
Councillor Baker is of the view that a hosted web page service would allow local businesses which do not currently have the resources to maintain a fully-fledged website of their own, to have an inexpensive and easy method of maintaining a web presence. This service would also generate some income which could be used to defray the cost of operating the Parish Council’s website.
Councillor Baker will speak to the item.
8 PLANNING APPLICATION
The Parish Council is invited to comment on the following planning application:
| 20/5187M | Croxton House Barns, Croxton Green, Cholmondeley SY14 8HG Open veranda to rear. |
Deadline date for observations: 2 February 2021
9 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Members of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group to report progress.
10 SELECTAMARK KITS
Members to report on the distribution of the Selectamark kits.
WRENBURY CONSOLIDATED CHARITIES
To consider nominations for a trustee who could administer the Charity’s funds.
As this item has been on the agenda for the last three meetings, it is suggested that if there are no nominations on this occasion, the Secretary be informed that there are no suitable potential trustees available.
12 CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT – CLERK
The Internal Auditor had commented that there was no contract of employment for the Clerk.
A Model Contract is now enclosed for consideration and adoption.
13 SHARED ITEMS
(GUIDE TIME – 10 MINUTES)
This is an opportunity for Members to share information; however, no decisions can be taken under this item.
14 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
22 March 2021