DRAFT MINUTES OF THE DALLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 20th MAY 2025
Present: Councillors N. Harding (Chair), J. Gray (Vice-Chair), M. Gray-Smith, P. Ridley
Mrs. I. Marchant (Parish Clerk/RFO)
Members of the public
The Council has received the sad news of the death of Wendy Miers.
Wendy served as Chair of Dallington Parish Council for many years and resigned in November 2024. She was also a long-standing Councillor at Rother District Council.
Wendy had a tremendous commitment to the parish and its residents.
She loved Dallington and always had its best interests at heart.
Our sincere condolences to her family.
We would also like to thank Nikki Holyoake for her commitment and dedication to Dallington Parish Council, where she served for many years and as Vice-Chair for most of them.
Nikki was a tremendous asset to Dallington Parish Council and we wish her a long and happy retirement from public service.
1. Election of Chair for 2025-26
RESOLVED: that Councillor Harding be elected Chair for 2025-26. Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor Ridley seconded, the voting was unanimous. The Chair signed the Chair’s Declaration of Office, countersigned by the Clerk as Proper Officer.
2. Election of Vice-Chair for 2025-26
RESOLVED: that Councillor Gray be elected Vice-Chair for 2025-26. Councillor Ridley proposed and the Chair seconded, the voting was unanimous.
3. Co-option of New Councillor
RESOLVED: that Mark Gray-Smith be co-opted as a Dallington Parish Councillor. The Chair proposed and Councillor Ridley seconded, the voting was unanimous. Councillor Gray-Smith signed the Declaration of Office, countersigned by the Clerk as Proper Officer.
4. Disclosure of Interests
None declared.
5. Dispensations
Councillor Gray-Smith requested a dispensation to discuss matters regarding Dallington Recreation Ground. The Clerk granted this as Proper Officer and both Councillor Gray-Smith and the Clerk signed the dispensation request.
6. Apologies for absence
None needed.
7. Accuracy of the minutes of the previous meeting(s)
RESOLVED: that the draft minutes of the meeting held on 18.03.25 be confirmed as being an accurate record of the proceedings. Councillor Ridley proposed and Councillor Gray seconded, the voting was unanimous. The minutes were signed by the Chair.
8. Open Forum
8.1 County Council report (ESCC) – Councillor E. Kirby-Green sent apologies.
8.2 District Council report (RDC) – there will be a by-election on 26.06.25 for the position of a District Councillor for the Catsfield and Crowhurst area.
8.3 Public Question Time – two members of the public are very concerned with speeding and the road condition at Woods Corner. Councillor Kirby-Green is assisting with these issues.
9. Approval of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2024-25 (AGAR)
9.1 RESOLVED: to approve the Certificate of Exemption 2024-25, Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor Ridley seconded, the voting was unanimous. The Certificate was signed by the Clerk and the Chair.
9.2 RESOLVED: to approve the Annual Governance Statement 2024-25. Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor Ridley seconded, the voting was unanimous. The Annual Governance Statement was signed by the Clerk and the Chair.
9.3 RESOLVED: to approve the Accounting Statements 2024-25. Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor Ridley seconded, the voting was unanimous. The Accounting Statements were signed by the Chair.
9.4 RESOLVED: to approve the Explanation of Variances and Bank Reconciliation at 31.03.24 as presented by the Clerk. Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor Ridley seconded, the voting was unanimous.
9.5 RESOLVED: to approve the Restated Asset Register as presented by the Clerk. Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor Ridley seconded, the voting was unanimous.
9.6 To thank Mr. Whines for the positive and construction manner in which he conducted the Internal Audit 2024-15 and to appoint him as DPC’s Internal Auditor for 2025-26.
10. DPC appointments to outside bodies
- Rother Association of Local Councils (RALC) – the Chair and Councillor Gray-Smith.
- Dallington Village Hall Committee – Councillor Ridley.
11. Devolution/Local Government Reorganisation
No further information available at present.
12. Fingerpost at Rookery Lane
The Members discussed the quotations received and this item will be on the agenda for a decision at the DPC July meeting.
13. Planning
13.1 No planning applications for consideration.
13.2 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 Chair informed the Members that a new study for a bridge on the footpath over Willingford Stream is in progress. ESCC should maintain this.
- The Chair is to chase bin collection from Glazers Forge (CHAIR)
- The Clerk will continue to chase ESCC Highways for solutions after the SLR meeting at Woods Corner recently (CLERK)
16. Finance
16.1 Bank balances at 30.04.25
- DPC deposit account – £12,816.00
- DPC current account – £1,479.26
- DRG current account – £463.77
16.2 RESOLVED: to approve the following payments. Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor Gray-Smith seconded, the voting was unanimous.
- Clerk, salary/HO (Apr/May 2025), expenses – £1,136.03
- DRG top-up – £500.00
- Clerk Councils, DPC insurance 2025-26 – £534.39
- NALC/ESALC subscription 2025-26 – £100.19
- * Amazon, PA refreshments – £66.20
- * Amazon, PA refreshments – 32.58
16.3 RESOLVED: to approve the fourth quarter accounts at 31.03.24 as presented by the Clerk. Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor Gray-Smith seconded, the voting was unanimous.
17. Dates of next meetings
- 17.06.25 – full council meeting/planning meeting (provisional)
- 15.07.25 – full council meeting