Agenda item

Honorary Position - Pant Master - Report of the Clerk to the Charter Trustees

Minutes:

Charter Trustees considered a report of the Clerk which informed Trustees of the resignation of Miss Sharon Spence as Pant Master and sought confirmation of appointment of successor (for copy see file of minutes).

 

The Governance Solicitor advised that at the time of writing the report there had been one expression of interest from Dr Bill Moir. Since then, a further expression of interest had been received from Mr Mac Williams JP, details of which had been circulated to Charter Trustees in advance of the meeting.

 

Councillor Turnbull queried the process as the Pant Master position had always been filled by an officer of the Council. He added that the two interested parties were not officers of the Council therefore the position should be open to anyone. The Governance Solicitor acknowledged that historically the Pant Master position had previously been an officer of Durham County Council, however no expressions of interest had been received from officers.

 

Councillor C Marshall expressed concern with the overall process with regards to being open and transparent. He emphasised that Charter Trustees should ensure this role was being considered properly before any decision was made.

 

Councillor Wilkes commented that it would be more appropriate to have a vote on paper rather than a show of hands.

 

The Governance Solicitor confirmed that the situation was unique to previous years and that the process had been detailed within the report. She explained that it would be for Charter Trustees to consider how they would want to proceed with the vote.

 

Councillor Freeman highlighted that one of the candidates was also the Mayors consort and queried if there would be an issue in carrying out duties. The Governance Solicitor explained that the matter had been explored by the Clerk and assurances were given by the candidate that he would be able to distinguish between both roles.

 

Councillor Hopgood proposed that the Honorary Position of Pant Master be advertised inviting other expressions of interest and a ballot paper vote take place at a Special Charter Trustee meeting which could be arranged after full Council in July. The Governance Solicitor suggested a small working group be arranged to consider the points raised and then report back to a future meeting.

 

Councillor Hovvels was in favour of the working group and suggested that the working group also look at updating the Charter Trustee Standing Orders for these appointments as things have moved on and it was necessary to have a clear understanding moving forward to eliminate any confusion.

 

Councillor Turnbull referred to information received from County Durham Association of Local Councils (CDALC) and raised the question what would happen if Charter Trustees were dissolved. He explained that the information was originally circulated by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) which was forwarded to all Town and Parish Councils explaining procedures and the stance from Government with regards to Charter Trustees.

 

Following a brief discussion regarding communication of the information that not all Charter Trustees had received, the Governance Solicitor advised that she would obtain the information and report back to Charter Trustees.

 

Resolved:

i)             That a working group be arranged comprising of Councillors Hopgood, Hovvels, Kellett and Simmons to look at advertising the Honorary Position of Pant Master;

ii)            That the information circulated by the CDALC be obtained and details reported to the next meeting.

 

 

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