Time: 18:30
Venue: General Tarleton, Ferrensby
Chair (outgoing): Jonathan Pow
Clerk (outgoing): Sue Aspinall (nominated), supported by Pooja Pow (assistant clerk).
Number of Attendees: ≈25
- Opening and Apologies:
Sue A (SA) opened the meeting and welcomed the attendees.
SA mentioned apologies from Roger K & Pauline, Stephen J, Caroline & Martyn W., Lydia & Callum S., Alan & Margaret R.
SA summarised the Agenda items. - Approval of Previous Minutes:
Jonathan P (JP) requested approval of previous minutes (September 2025).
Sue A. approved and Lynn A. seconded. - Financial Summary:
JP summarised the accounts and individual expenditure since the last meeting.- Wildflower seeds for gabion baskets bought from Emorsgate – £60.00.
- Web hosting cost and reimbursement from December 2021 till date – £321.08.
- Pond plants purchased from Harrogate Aquatic (company contacted by Frank F initially) – £350.00.
- Defibrillator pads replacement – £66.00.
- Yorkshire Local Councils Association (YLCA) membership – £29.52 (paid till 31st March 2026)
Bank balance as of 19th January 2026 = £5160.11.
- Note on ‘How We Work Statement’:
JP referred to a written ‘How We Work’ statement.
The statement was developed with input from several long-standing villagers, including people with previous experience of chairing village meetings, with the aim of supporting fairness and inclusivity in future Parish Meetings.
It had been circulated via the mailing list and published on the village website in advance of the meeting.
JP confirmed that the statement was not a voting item at this meeting. It was noted that any decision on whether to adopt the statement as a point of reference rests with a future Parish Meeting, should the meeting choose to consider it.
Action Required: The statement will be re-circulated with the minutes for reference and placed on the agenda for a future Parish Meeting, at which the meeting will be invited to consider whether it wishes to adopt it as a point of reference. - Resignations and Nominations:
JP mentioned resignations (from himself as chair and from SA and Pooja P as joint clerks).
JP asked for nominations for chair.
Stuart Payne (SP) volunteered for chair role.
Pauline W proposed and Robin P seconded.
Michelle Godin (MG) volunteered for clerk role. - Bank Account Access Transfer:
The Parish Meeting agreed that the new Chair, Stuart Payne, and the new Clerk, Michelle Godin, are authorised to apply for signatory access to the Ferrensby Parish Meeting bank account.
Agreed by Paul D and seconded by Frank F.
Robin Phillips (RP) will also be on the account as a third checker/ signatory.
All other signatories to be removed.
Action Required: The new Chair and Clerk (Stuart Payne and Michelle Godin) will take the necessary steps with the bank, referencing these minutes, to add themselves and Robin Phillips as signatories and remove all previous signatories. - Website Management:
Robin P agreed to take over the website.
Action Required: RP to contact JP to sort this. - Closure:
Stuart P thanked the clerks and chair.
The meeting was closed at approximately 18:45
Aforementioned “How We Work” Statement copied below for reference:
This page sets out a set of simple principles residents use to ensure Ferrensby’s Parish Meeting remains inclusive, fair, and workable for all residents, including those who volunteer and participate.
Ferrensby’s Parish Meeting is a volunteer-led, community forum. To keep it inclusive, fair, and sustainable, we work to the following principles.
- Decisions are made in open meetings
Key decisions, including appointments to roles, are made at properly convened Parish Meetings, with notice given in advance. Informal discussions or private messages do not replace this process. Adequate notice will be given wherever possible, and urgency will not be used to bypass consultation or agreed process.
- Roles are filled by open nomination, not appointment
Anyone wishing to stand for a role may put themselves forward at the meeting. No individual has the authority to vet, filter, approve, or discourage candidates outside the agreed meeting process.
Where more than one person is nominated for a role, the appointment is decided by a vote of those present at the meeting.
- Chair role and accountability
The Chair of the Parish Meeting is elected annually by those present. The role exists to facilitate discussion and process, not to direct outcomes. The Chair remains accountable to the Parish Meeting and may be replaced through the agreed meeting process if necessary.
- No responsibilities are assigned without consent
Volunteers are never assumed to be available or willing. Responsibilities are discussed openly, and only taken on by agreement.
- Communication is inclusive by design
Residents should recognise that not everyone uses WhatsApp or speaks up in meetings. Important information is shared via multiple channels, and space is made for considered contributions, not just the loudest voices.
Giving a platform only to the most vocal does not create inclusion. It is important to value those who listen, plan, and follow through, as much as those who speak.
- Respectful conduct
Disagreement is part of community life. Speaking over others, making personal accusations, applying pressure, or assigning motives undermines trust and is not acceptable practice.
- Representation of the village
No individual should represent themselves as speaking on behalf of the village unless authorised through the agreed Parish Meeting process.
- Stepping down from roles
Volunteers are free to step down from roles without pressure, persuasion, or expectation of justification beyond what they choose to share.
- Stewardship of place and environment
As a rural village, it is important to recognise our shared responsibility for Ferrensby’s landscape and wildlife, including the village pond, village garden and surrounding habitats. Decisions should reflect care for people, nature, and the long-term health of the village
Leave a Reply