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           HURWORTH PARISH COUNCIL 2009

The Hurworth Parish Council consists of 12 elected members, they are elected every 4 years by public election. A replacement can be appointed in the event of the death or resignation of a councillor by public election or if no one applies to be elected, by the decision of the remaining councillors to co-opt an agreed person. Similarly at the time of normal re­election if no one wishes to contest a seat the existing elected member can retain his seat.

These 12 seats are divided as follows:­ Hurworth Village 7 seats Hurworth Place 4 seats Blackwell Village 1 seat The current council comprises 2 women and 10 men. Geographically the parish extends from the Tees in the south to the Middlesborough railway line in the north and from the Tees & Blackwell in the west to Neasham/Middleton St. George in the east.

The Parish Council is a minor Local Authority and receives a small Grant from Darlington Borough Council togther with the ability to raise a Precept which forms part of the Council Tax. The Parish also gains income from the property it owns. In our case the council owns the allotments off Strait Lane and the building and grounds of Hurworth Grange. These are let respectively to a selection of tenants and to Hurworth Community Association, each of which pay agreed rents.

The council also deals with any problems or complaints received by its members or clerk, either directly or by reference to the proper authority or body. It also deals with consultations on planning matters from Darlington Borough Council (or county matters if appropriate). From this income the Council employs 2 persons, the Parish Clerk, Mr. John Robinson, and the village litter picker. It also pays for the village Xmas tree, maintenance of seats, bus shelters, allotments, footpaths, signs & insurance’s together with various sundry costs for repairs to various fences etc. on land not owned but maintained by the council. This applies to many planted areas throughout the village including, of course, the village green.

The Council (or its forebears) has been in existance since 1559 and is an example of local people contributing to the welfare of their own community. A number of Parish Councillors have now served our community for over 25 years on a purely voluntary unpaid basis. The only payment given to any of the members is the Chairman’s allowance of £100.00 per annum to cover his or her expenses. The members of the Council are available to all members of the Parish and they can be contacted by getting in touch with the Clerk to the Parish Council, Mr John Robinson at the parish Office at Hurworth Grange (days of working to be confirmed) or by telephone on 01325 722171. He will provide you with telephone numbers or addresses of any member for direct contact.

Alternatively, a full list of councillors is posted on the Parish notice boards on the Green (outside the Old Post Office) and adjacent to the Comet public house . If you need advice or assistance on any matter concerning the village please do not hesitate to contact us.

Ian Home, Chairman 2008/2009