Temporary Appointments to Parish Councils

by Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer under delegated powers

1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1 To report back to Members, for information, details of temporary appointments to parish and town councils made by the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer under his delegated powers.

2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 In order for a town/parish council to operate, they need to be quorate. There are occasions where, due to resignations or a lack of nominations for vacancies at elections, a town/parish is not able to operate for this reason. If a town/parish is no longer quorate, it cannot meet or conduct any business. The only option left is to invoke the power to make an appointment so that business can continue.

2.2 Section 91(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 provides that where there are so many vacancies in the office of parish councillor that the parish council are unable to act, the principal authority (North Yorkshire Council) can make an order to appoint to a town/parish council until such time as the vacancies on it have been filled by either election or co-option.

2.3 The Standards and Governance Committee has delegated power to make temporary appointments to parish and town councils under section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972.

2.4 On 6 September 2024, the Committee delegated the power to make such temporary appointments to the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer, in order to streamline the process.

3.0 TEMPORARY APPOINTMENTS MADE UNDER DELEGATED POWERS

3.1 Since the last report to Committee on 17 September 2025, the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer has made the following temporary appointments:

a) appointment of Councillors Caroline Goodrick, divisional representative for Sheriff Hutton and Derwent, Nigel Knapton, divisional representative for Easingwold and Janet Sanderson, divisional representative for Thornton dale and Wolds to Whitwell on the Hill with Crambe Parish Council.

b) appointment of Councillors John McCartney, divisional representative for Osgoldcross, Cliff Lunn, divisional representative for Thorpe Willoughby and Hambleton and Mike Jordan, divisional representative for Camblesforth and Carlton to Eggborough Parish Council.

to allow the Parish Council to maintain quoracy in order to conduct business and co-opt additional members.

4.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

4.1 There are no significant financial implications arising from this report.

5.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

5.1 The legal implications are set out in the body of this report.

6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL/CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS

6.1 There are no significant environmental implications arising from this report.

7.0 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS

7.1 There are no significant equalities implications arising from this report.

8.0 CONCLUSION

8.1 Members are requested to note this report.

8.2 Members will be kept informed future appointments.

9.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

9.1 That Members note this report.

BARRY KHAN

Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer

Background Documents:

None

County Hall

NORTHALLERTON

03 March 2026