Evenwood and Barony Parish Council

The Parish is situated in the lower Gaunless Valley areas of County Durham. It covers the villages and hamlets of Evenwood, Evenwood Gate, Ramshaw, Lands, Windmill, Morley and parts of Toft Hill and Etherley. We have approximately 1,848 residents with the main population centre being in the village of Evenwood. The Barony is an historic term to cover the areas of the other villages the council serves.

NOTICE OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The next meeting of the parish council will be held in the Cornerstone Christian Centre, Swan Street, Evenwood, Bishop Auckland, DL14 9RN, commencing at 7:00 p.m. on

Tuesday, 9th June, 2026

Members of the public are invited at the beginning of each meeting to make representations or ask questions or raise concerns relating to the to the Parish Council’s role and responsibilities. The agenda outlining the business to be transacted at the meeting is displayed on the main notice boards in Evenwood (Manor Street) and Evenwood Gate at least three days before a meeting. 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME: A period of 15 minutes is allocated at the beginning of each meeting for members of the public to raise questions or concerns relating to the Parish Council’s role and responsibilities. They are welcome to remain after this period but will not be able to join in the discussions unless invited by the Chairman.

AGENDA

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: To receive any apologies for absence and approve reasons for non-attendance.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: To receive any declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) or Personal Interest (PI) in any item included on the agenda.

MINUTES OF ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: To approve as a correct record and authorise the signing of the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Tuesday 12th May 2026.

MINUTES OF ANNNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL: To approve as a correct record and authorise the signing of the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 12th May 2026.

CLERK’S REPORT: To receive a verbal update from the Parish Clerk on any matters including correspondence as may require attention and to review and update the action log. 

FINANCIAL MATTERS: a) To receive a schedule of monthly expenditure and approve payment of invoices. b) To approve and authorise the signing of the annual governance and accounting statements for 2025/2026 [subject to the accounts for year ended 31st March 2026 being finalised in time for the meeting].

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL (DCC): To receive a report from the Evenwood ward councillor on issues relating to DCC.

REPORTS: a) To consider any reports on meetings attended on behalf of the Parish Council. b) To consider a report from the Emergency Plan Working Group [Cllr. Pettit]. c) To consider a report from the Allotments Working Group, including the waiting list [Cllr. Spraggon]. d) To receive a report on digital allotment maps for allotment sites, deferred from 14th April 2026 [Cllr. Breeze].

PLANNING: To consider any valid planning applications received as may require attention.

ITEMS REQUESTED BY A MEMBER: a) To consider a response relating to Speedwatch monitoring equipment [Cllr. Breeze]. b) To consider a proposal relating to the A688 road at Evenwood Gate [Cllr. Hodgson]. c) To consider a proposal for a solar-powered defibrillator at Windmill [Cllr. Potts].

SUMMER EVENT: To discuss arrangements relating to a summer event in 2027 [Cllr. Gilbey].

ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: To invite any items from members for inclusion on the agenda for the next meeting, relating to the Parish Council’s role and responsibilities.

NEXT MEETING: To confirm the date and venue of the next meeting: Tuesday 7th July 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the Cornerstone Christian Centre, Swan Street, Evenwood. 

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC: The Council may at any point pass a resolution that under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, the public and the press shall be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item of business if publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, e.g. employment matters; terms of commercial tenders and negotiations for contracts or leases; legal proceedings preparation or advice; complaints against the council or code of conduct complaints.