Wentworth Parish Council

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Introduction

Parish Councillors at their meeting in October, 2008.
From left to right (standing): Chris Woodcock, Sarah Hales, Richard Clamp, Mary Dickerson, Lindy Stevenson, Bill Crawford, Ian Lomas (seated), David Hunton (Chair), Jim Jones (Vice Chair) .

Wentworth Parish is one of the largest rural parishes in Rotherham. It covers the communities of Wentworth, Harley, Nether Haugh and Barley Hole and has a population of approximately 1300 people. Agricultural fields surround the Parish and because of the area's strong connection with the Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates and Wentworth Woodhouse the area has become a magnet for tourists.

Wentworth Parish Council exists by statute to represent the parishioners interests. It should not be confused with the Parochial Church Council, which is linked to church affairs.

As a body the Parish Council contributes to the protection and improvement of the parish environment and keeps a constant eye on activity that could operate against the interests of the parish and its parishioners e.g. planning applications, traffic matters etc.

There are currently nine parish councillors representing the parish on a voluntary basis they are:-

The last elections took place in May 2007. Elections take place every 4 years. The Parish Council has 11 meetings per year, there is no meeting in August. Meetings take place in the Mechanics Institute in Wentworth on the third Monday of each month at 7.00pm. Parishioners are entitled to raise matters of concern at the meetings but the Chairman has the discretion to decide when the matter is discussed. The press and police regularly attend the meetings.

Finance Sub-Committees are now every second month before the main meeting but are not open to the public.

An Annual General Meeting takes place in May when the positions of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and representation on the Sub-Committees are decided. The main sub-committees being finance and buildings.

In March the Parish Council facilitate an Annual Assembly of the parish which is open to members of the community and enables residents to raise local issues.

The Chairman of the Parish Council sits on the school governing body.

The Parish Council currently has leases from the Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates (the landowner) on the Wentworth and Harley Recreation Grounds. The management of these sites has been transferred to the active village associations in Wentworth and Harley. In addition the Parish Council manages the village car park in Wentworth and two properties in Barrowfield Gate which form part of the Willistons Gift one of the charities managed by the Parish Council. The Parish Council also manages a charity called the Constables Charity although little is known of the history of this body.

The Parish Council is allowed by statute to levy a small precept which is currently £9000 per year which is collected by the Borough Council along with the Council Tax. The Parish Council use this money to improve the amenities of the Parish.

The Parish Council welcome this new website as an opportunity to communicate with parishioners we will post the minutes of the Parish Council meetings excluding confidential items when necessary. If you have anything to say about the Parish Council and its work please contact us. Our details are:-

Jane Hutchings (Clerk to the Parish Council)
e-mail clerk@wentworthparishcouncil.org.uk

David Hunton (Chairman)
e-mail chairman@wentworthparishcouncil.org.uk

Wentworth Parish Council

PO Box 515

Barnsley

S73 3AB

Freedom of Information Publication