The July meeting was to be our first face to face meeting since Covid and although there were only four councillors left, another four people who wanted to join were going to be co-opted. Unfortunately Covid struck and one councillor had to isolate which meant that meeting had to be cancelled.

The same evening one of the remaining four Councillors left and Parish Council became quorate and unable to function.

The City Council had to be informed, who in accordance with the law could put forward a number of City Councillors to join the remaining Parish Councillors to co-opt the new Parish Councillors before it could become functional. Unfortunately this does take time.

Initially the council becoming quorate was seen a major catastrophe but it turned out to be for the best, apart from the problems that it created with the bank.

By the time the Parish Council was allowed to have a meeting there were eleven people ready to join and a number of others in the wings should they be needed.

Because there were only eight vacancies there is a procedure that has to be followed for the election. The two City Councillors joined the remaining three Parish Councillors and a blind vote was used to determine who was elected.

Each of the eight vacant seats were voted upon in turn and if one name received three or more votes they were elected, if no majority, another vote was taken until a majority was achieved. This procedure was repeated until all seats were filled.

The Parish Council is now up to full strength and there are Councillors from Clesketts, Coalfell, Farlam, Forrest Head, HBG and Tindale. With a good range of ages and talents that I am sure they will put to good use.

I would like to thank all the people who came forward and commiserate with those who were not elected, the election process has been designed to make it very impersonal.

The City Council deserves our thanks for nominating three City Councillors, two of whom were able to attend the meeting. Thanks to Councillors Keith Meller and Ray Tinnion for taking part in the voting and thanks also to County Councillor Roger Dodds who was canvassing to join the County Council but still included our predicament in a mail drop to all households in the parish and as a result, seven more prospective Councillors came forward, thank you all.

Green Finger Volunteer’s

Volunteers wanted in Hallbankgate to look after the tubs by the bus shelter, the seat on the other side of the road and the Hosta bed in the middle of the green. It would involve planting and weeding. If someone agreed to take it on and they could present an estimate of the costs involved at the January meeting.

Should no volunteer come forward then the tubs will have to be removed and the Hosta bed filled and grassed over. (Please email your interest to farlampc@hotmail.co.uk or rayhinton1@gmx.com)

Thanks to all who have helped over this period.

Ray Hinton

Chair Farlam Parish Council