Parish Council Elections

At the recent Parish Council election the following Councillors were returned unopposed: Councillors Diana Asquith, Robert Barr, Margaret Broadhead, Eric Ellis, Cynthia Hindley, Peter Kilner and John Walker. Councillors Ian Claxton and John Lees did not stand for re-election, and no other parishioners stood for election. The Council will therefore be going through an open, transparent co-option process to fill the two current vacancies. Further information will be available in the near future.

Annual Meeting of the Parish Council

a. The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council was held on the 10th May 2007. Several parishioners attended as well as all Parish Councillors. At that meeting Councillor Cynthia Hindley was Chairman for the forthcoming year and Councillor Margaret Broadhead elected Vice-Chairman. Councillors were appointed to committees as follows:

Budget and Finance Committee: Councillors Asquith, Broadhead, Hindley and Walker.

Planning Committee: Councillors Asquith, Barr, Hindley and Kilner.

Footpaths and Environment Committee: Councillors Asquith, Barr, Broadhead, Ellis, Kilner and Walker. Co-optees: Mr. P. Buckley and Mr. L. Herbert.

Recreation Ground Trust Nominee: Councillor Barr.

Village Hall Committee Nominee: Councillor Walker.

Penistone Road Safety Committee Nominees: Councillors Barr and Ellis.

Cllrs Hindley and Walker, and Mr. Johnston, Clerk, were appointed to a working party to set procedures etc. in respect of co-option to the Council.

b. Mr. T. F. Matthewman, JP, was appointed Internal Auditor to the Council. Mr. Matthewman is not a Councillor, and is independent of the Council in his role as Internal Auditor.

c. Parish Councillors are unpaid, and their voluntary service to their community is not only public spirited but invaluable in helping to improve their local environment. The Parish Council therefore wishes to publicly record its thanks to Ian Claxton and John Lees for their service and commitment to both the Parish Council and their community over many years. In Ian Claxton’s case some twelve years and in John Lees case several decades. Our thanks to you both.

Parish Council Grants

There are still some funds available for small grants to bona fide organisations. Please apply in writing to the Parish Clerk.

Next Meeting of the Parish Council

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 7th June 2007, at 7.30 pm, in the Moxon Room, Village Hall. All parishioners are welcome, and are encouraged, to attend.