Issue - meetings

This report sets out details of applications for dispensations received by Councillors Bruce, Jamison, Dale, Livesley, Dunn, Mellors, Green, Thornton, Harrison and Watkins of Bishopthorpe Parish Council in respect of their participation in the St Andrew’s  Reading Room charity.

Members considered a report that set out details of applications for dispensations received by Councillors Bruce, Jamison, Dale, Livesley, Dunn, Mellors, Green, Thornton, Harrison and Watkins of Bishopthorpe Parish Council in respect of their participation in the St Andrew’s Reading Room Charity.

Members discussed the letter which the Head of Civic, Legal and Democratic Services had written to Bishopthorpe Parish Council.  Bishopthorpe Parish Council gave the following answers to Members’ questions:

·        Q: What are the quorate requirements for both the Parish Council and the Charity?  A: Four

·        Q: What are the minimum number of Trustees required by the Charity?

 A: Ten

·        Q: Is it permissible to nominate non-parish Councillors as Trustees for the Charity?  A: No

·        Q: Are there any other prejudicial interests arising out of membership of both bodies or is the interest simply due to participation in both the Parish Council and the Trust?  A: Interest is due to participation in both the Parish Council, Trust and Code of Conduct.

·        Q: Specifically, are any members of the Parish Councillors family or close friends employed or benefiting significantly from the Charity?  A: No

·        Q: Has advice been sought from the Charities Commission regarding this issue?  A: No from the Code of Conduct.

·        Q: Is it possible to have sight of any Trust documents?  A: Yes

Members considered the responses and agreed to approve the grant of a dispensation  for four years.

RESOLVED: That the dispensation to permit those named members of Bishopthorpe Parish Council to speak and vote on matters relating to the St Andrew’s Reading Room Charity be granted for four years from the date of this meeting.

REASON:      To ensure that the decisions of Bishopthorpe Parish Council are in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000.

This report sets out details of applications for dispensations received by Councillors Bruce, Jamison, Dale, Livesley, Dunn, Mellors, Green, Thornton, Harrison and Watkins of Bishopthorpe Parish Council in respect of their participation in the St Andrew’s Reading Room charity.

Members consider a report that set out details of applications for dispensations received by Councillors Bruce, Jamison, Dale, Livesley, Dunn, Mellors, Green, Thornton, Harrison and Watkins of Bishopthorpe Parish Council in respect of their participation in the St Andres Reading Room Charity.

Members wished to advise Parish Councillors that in principle they had no objection to the independent running of the village.

Members agreed to defer this item providing that the Parish Council and Trustees provided information in relation to the following prior to the next meeting:

• Quorate requirements for both the Parish Council and the Charity
• Minimum number of Trustees required by the Charity
• Trust documents
• Non-parish Councillors be nominated as Trustees for the Charity
• Prejudicial interests

RESOLVED:             That this item be deferred, and be considered at the next meeting of this committee on 28 September 2007.

REASON:                  To ensure Members questions are answered before a decision can be made.