DRAFT MINUTES OF THE DALLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 21st MAY 2024
Present: Councillors W. Miers (Chair), N. Holyoake (Vice-Chair), J. Gray, N. Harding, P. Ridley
Mrs. I. Marchant (Parish Clerk/RFO)
1. Election of Chair for 2024-25
RESOLVED: that Councillor Miers be elected Chair for the council year 2024-25. Councillor Holyoake proposed and Councillor Harding seconded, the voting was unanimous. The Chair signed the Declaration of Office, counter-signed by the Clerk as Proper Officer.
2. Election of Vice-Chair for 2024-24
RESOLVED: that Councillor Holyoake be elected Vice-Chair for the council year 2024-25. Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor Ridley seconded, the voting was unanimous.
3. Disclosure of Interests
None declared.
4. Dispensations
None requested.
5. Apologies for absence
None required.
6. Accuracy of the minutes of the previous meeting(s)
RESOLVED: that the draft minutes of the DPC meeting held on 19.03.24 be confirmed as being an accurate record of the proceedings. Councillor Harding proposed and Councillor Holyoake seconded, the voting was unanimous.
7. Open Forum
7.1. County Council report (ESCC) – Councillor Kirby-Green sent apologies.
7.2. District Council report (RDC) – Councillor Pearce sent apologies.
7.3. Chair’s report (DPC) – Councillor W. Miers
Things are fairly quiet at the moment and looking forward to 2024-25.
8. Approval of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2023-24 (AGAR)
8.1 RESOLVED: to approve the Certificate of Exemption 2023-24. Councillor Ridley proposed and Councillor Gray seconded, the voting was unanimous.
8.2 RESOLVED: to approve the Annual Governance Statement (Section 1) 2023-24. Councillor Holyoake proposed and the Chair seconded, the voting was unanimous.
8.3 RESOLVED: to approve the Accounting Statements (Section 2) 2023-24. Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor Harding seconded, the voting was unanimous.
8.4 RESOLVED: to approve the Explanation of Variances and Bank Reconciliation at 31.03.24. Councillor Holyoake proposed and Councillor Gray seconded, the voting was unanimous.
8.5 AGREED: to thank Mr. Whines for the constructive and positive manner in which he conducted the DPC internal audit 2023-24, and to appoint him as DPC’s internal auditor for 2024-25.
9. Dallington Recreation Ground
- Quotes are being obtained for a new pedestrian gate, hedge clearing and infill of large dip by the car park. (ACTION: CHAIR)
- Hire of PAT testing equipment is being actioned by the Clerk. (ACTION: CLERK)
10. Re-adoption/amendments to DPC’s council documents
This item will be on the agenda at the DPC July meeting, NALC have just issued updated Financial Regulations.
11. DPC appointments to outside bodies
- The Chair will represent DPC at the East Sussex Association of Local Councils, Dallington Parochial Church Council and Rother District Council Audit and Standards Committee.
- The Chair and Councillor Holyoake will represent DPC at Rother Association of Local Councils.
- Councillor Ridley will represent DPC at the Dallington Village Hall Committee.
12. Consultation of the Draft Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 and the RDC Draft Housing and Economic Land Availability (HELAA)
DPC’s response to this consultation will be considered at the July meeting.
13. Planning
13.1 No planning applications for consideration.
13.3 No other planning matters for discussion.
14. Enforcement
14.1 No Dallington items on RDC’s most recent enforcement list.
14.2 No other enforcement matters for discussion.
15. Highways/Rights of Way
The electric gate/fencing and obstructions to footpath Dallington 23 have been reported to ESCC Rights of Way.
16. Finance
16.1 Bank balances at 30.04.24
- DPC deposit account – £9,792.77
- DPC current account – £5,494.94
- DRG current account – £379.17
16.2 RESOLVED: to approve the following payments. Councillor Holyoake proposed and Councillor Ridley seconded, the voting was unanimous.
DPC current account
- Clerk, salary, home office (Apr/May 2024) – £1,080.20
- ESALC/NALC subscription 2024-25 – £94.34
- * Mastercard fee – £3.00
- * Beech Place Management (pavilion) – £946.67
* Already paid
DRG current account
- Geoff Keeley, mowing/rolling (Apr/May 2024) – £200.00
16.3 RESOLVED: to approve the 4th quarter accounts at 31.03.24 as presented by the Clerk. Councillor Holyoake proposed and Councillor Gray seconded, the voting was unanimous.
16.4 Those Members not yet authorised with Unity Trust Bank are contacting them for authorisations.
17. Dates of next meetings
- 18.06.24 – Planning Meeting (provisional)
- 16.07.24 – Full Council Meeting