05/06/2025 – Thornby Parish Annual General Meeting
Thornby Parish AGM
Date: 5th June 2025
Time: 20:50
Location: Village Hall
Attendees:
| Peter Moyes (Chair) | G Goodlad |
| P Gates (Treasurer) | J Norris |
| A Pallister (Minute taker) | Mike Hill |
| A Barlow | R Carr |
| M Burdett | S Thompson |
| R Sherlock | M Kingston |
| G Bennett | |
| A Bennett | |
| L Owens | |
Apologies:
| Apologies: | Guest Attendees: |
| B Brooks | Rt Hon. Stuart Andrews MP |
| J Sherlock | Cllr Christine Ware |
| A & A Day | Cllr Jonathan Harris |
1. Welcome and Apologies
1. The Chairman opened the AGM and summarised the process of the meeting. Apologies were noted.
2. Minutes of the AGM held 10th June 2024
The minutes of the previous AGM had been published following the meeting in June 2024. PM summarised the discussions that took place and the agenda items covered; minutes were checked for accuracy and it was noted that the Financial Audit Governance Statement had been duly signed. Those who had attended the AGM in 2024 agreed that the minutes were a true and accurate record. M Burdett proposed these be signed as accurate and G Goodlad seconded. The Chairman signed the minutes as a true record.
3. Finance – including Audit and Annual Governance Statement
PG provided a summary of the accounts, copies may be obtained from PG should anyone wish to review them. The year-end balance amounted to £6628.93, slightly lower than the prior year which was £7341.04. The costs for the year had been higher and this variance was largely due to the purchase and installation of the two new solar powered SIDs, along with the poles on which they are fixed, as well as the cost of installation.
Compass Energy paid a rebate to the Parish meeting for £404.00, which relates to the loyalty scheme in place, where a rebate is paid based on the total number of litres of oil purchased by Thornby residents. PG noted this is a very helpful scheme and thanked Compass Energy.
PG reported that he and PM have signed the financial statements as required.
Audit:
In terms of governance, the Parish Meeting, with an income of below £25,000, falls below the threshold for requiring a full external audit but has to comply with the criteria on a special form covering parish meetings, the Annual Governance and Accountability Return.
The audit is carried out by John Waller, who has kindly checked the financial accounts of the Parish Meeting as our internal auditor and has approved them as being in order. The Parish Meeting recorded thanks to John Waller for undertaking the audit on behalf of the village.
The Parish meeting has to agree the eight statements in the Government document. PM read out each of the eight rules that the Parish is expected to follow in respect of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return and asked the meeting to confirm that the Parish Meeting has carried out the necessary steps to ensure full compliance with each of the regulations. There was a show of hands to indicate unanimous agreement that the Parish Meeting has fully complied with all eight regulatory requirements in respect of the AGAR. No issues were raised in respect of the audit process and PM duly signed the document.
PM asked that thanks be recorded on behalf of the Parish Meeting for PG’s efforts as treasurer and for his ongoing support, in addition to all the work he does for the village.
4. Election of Officers
PM advised that the Chair and Treasurer have been in post for some years but as there have been no other volunteers, both are willing to stand for re-election. PG proposed PM’s re election as Chairman and asked for a show of hands in favour of this; PM was unanimously elected as Chairman. R Sherlock paid tribute to PM on behalf of the parish and thanked him for all the work he does on behalf of the village.
PG advised he is willing to stand as Treasurer again, unless there were any other candidates. PM proposed PG to be elected as treasurer. There was a show of hands to indicate all in favour of this appointment. PM reiterated thanks to PG for his support and contribution.
PM noted the Parish Meeting’s thanks to AP for her work in respect of minute taking and preparation. AP has agreed to remain as meeting clerk/secretary.
Planning Working Group – the current members of the committee, Mark Burdett, Jim Sherlock and Paul Gates will remain in role. PM advised that Mike Hill has been invited to join this group, given his experience as an architect. The proposal was voted on and passed with a majority. PM recorded thanks to the group.
Traffic Working Group – PM recorded thanks to all who help with this activity, particularly Lucy Owens, Mike Kingston and Paul Gates. It was agreed this group would remain in post.
PM asked R Carr to extend thanks to A Carr for her support in regularly checking the village defibrillator. PM also noted thanks to all those in the village who provide support for the SIDs by changing the batteries.
PM drew attention to two roles that need to be filled:
– Police Liaison Officer – Mike Hill had undertaken this role but stepped down last year; PM asked if anyone would consider doing this, noting it does not involve a lot of time. Volunteers should contact PM directly.
– Footpaths representative – this requires someone to check the footpaths in the village and report any issues or areas that need attention. Again, this is not something that requires a lot of time. Volunteers should contact PM.
Poor’s Land Trust – John Norris as Chair of the Trustees, updated on activity. Current trustees are John Norris, Geoff Bennett, Grant Goodlad and Rev. Alison Twigg.
The trust owns 24 acres, currently let to R Heygate, who is a good tenant. Last year the trust celebrated its 400th anniversary and over the last year has paid out a total of £2500 to five individuals.
Criteria for applications are as follows: applicants must have resided in the Parish for a minimum of three years. A grant of £500 is awarded at the start of a course and a further £500 on successful completion. There is no age limit for applicants but courses must be officially recognised and grants are awarded for training and education, including vocational training.
PM thanked JN for his update.
5. Any Other Business
No other business was submitted and the AGM closed at 9.10pm.
AGM audit chair defibrillator election finance footpaths planning working group police Poors Land Trust traffic working group treasurer