Who we are & what we do

This is the official website of Wingerworth Parish Council, and contains information about the Council and the village of Wingerworth. Wingerworth is a large village on the outskirts of Chesterfield (approx 2.5 miles away), in the district of North East Derbyshire.

Parish Councils are the tier of Local Government closest to the people. Our website outlines the roles and services provided by the Parish Council along with the details of our councillors. The website shows the dates of our meetings and copies of the minutes of previous meetings. Hopefully the website will enable you to find out more about Wingerworth and the Parish Council.

Parish Council Elections

Parish Council Elections are expected to take place in May 2023.

Parish Councillors

Our councillors are elected or co-opted to the Council

Parish Council Complaints Procedures

Committees and Working Groups

We have 4 standing committees; Community Engagement, Finance, Governance and Premises and Facilities.

The council may set up other working groups to deal with any issues relating to Parish business as considered necessary during the year.

Roles in the Council

The Role of the Clerk

The Clerk is the Proper Officer of the Council, and along with all other staff, is employed by the Council. All staff are employed under the terms of the employment contract negotiated between National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC).

The Clerk's overall position is to carry out policy decisions of the Council. The Clerk will also advise the Council on aspects of Law and Procedure. The Clerk is not however, expected to be an expert on all matters and may seek advice as required. Neither is the Clerk legally qualified. The Clerk is answerable to the council as a whole and not to individual councillors.

The Clerk is responsible for:

• Issuing agendas and taking the minutes at meetings
• Administering the council
• Supervision of Staff
• Management of property
• Health and Safety
• Risk assessments
• Ensuring the Council acts within its powers
• Ensuring that the Council complies with all current legislation

The Role of the Chair

• Holds a statutory post defined in law
• Is a member of the Council and is elected annually
• Has the authority at meetings and must be obeyed when issuing lawful direction or direction in line with Standing Orders.
• Is to make sure the decision is clear for the clerk to act upon.
• Should start the meeting on time by declaring it open, and end it by clearly stating it closed and the time it ended.
• Has no more statutory power than any other Councillor except that of the casting vote.
• Ensures that all points of view have a clear hearing.
• Keeps the discussion to the point, and that it is relevant and ensure the Council deals with clear issues
• Ensures the Council/committee acts only within its terms of reference and/or legal powers and functions
• Ensures compliance with standing orders, financial regulations, Council policies, etc.
• Ensures that where and when appropriate and allowable the Council takes a vote to exclude the public and press from Council meetings.
• Remains impartial and not 'guide' Councillors to his/her desired decision.
• Ideally not allow the meeting to continue for more than 2 hours without a break (depending on Standing Orders).
• Should be in control of the meeting.
• Respects and understands the role of the clerk/RFO and other officers, and ensure that employment issues (e.g. performance, disciplinary matters) are only raised in Council meetings when appropriate and in line with Council policy and employment law.
• Acts as a representative of the Council at civic or local events

The Chair on their own has no power to make decisions without the Resolution of the Council.

The Chair cannot decide which items should appear on the agenda for meetings. The Clerk is responsible for the agenda, apart from Extraordinary Meetings. Normal practice would be for the Clerk to consult with the Chair when drawing up the agenda to ensure that appropriate and necessary items are added.

Our Staff

We have 6 members of staff, a Parish Clerk who deals with the day to day running of the council, all financial matters in co-operation with the finance committee. We have a handyman and caretaker who's duties include clearing litter undertaking Health & Safety checks on Council owned equipment and any other duties as directed by the Clerk.

In addition, the Council employs a Bookings Secretary who manages all bookings and booking enquiries at the Village Hall.

The Clerk together with the various staff can be contacted using the email addresses or telephone numbers below.

History of Wingerworth

Wingerworth - an outline of its history - by David Edwards