Euxton's Clerk is Debra Platt.
Debra began working for the Council in July 1999 and followed in the footsteps of two previous long standing Clerks.
In February 2007 Debra achieved the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) which makes her a 'qualified' Clerk. This qualification would be necessary if the Council wished to apply for 'Quality Parish Council Status'.
Below are some notes on what a Clerk to the Council does.
The Clerk is appointed by the Council and necessary to discharge the functions of the Council, also required is a Responsible Financial Officer to administer its financial affairs, this is often the Clerk.
The Clerk will also store the Council’s documents, convene meetings and is the signatory for summons, responsible for taking lawful minutes and issuing orders for payment.
A Clerk attends meetings, records the meetings, carries out the resolutions and decisions of the Council, administers the work, liaises with other agencies, researches and briefs the Council on new legislation and the Council’s powers and duties.
A Clerk may also have some delegated authority for certain functions such as supervising staff.
The Clerk holds the Councils official documentation and ensures the legal requirements of publication, availability and access of documents is met.
The Clerk is responsible to the Council as their employer, but must remain independent to carry out the Council’s decisions. The Clerk will report and update the council on its responsibilities, legal or otherwise, give advice on procedures, make recommendations or offer guidance to the Council, ensure the council is run in accordance with the rules and participate in ongoing training.
Euxton has three part-time Village Caretakers.
They all use the mechanical sweeper and carry out tasks around the village to keep it litter free and tidy.
There is an article about the Pavement Sweeper in the News section - link here.
Ron is one of the three part-time Village Caretaker/Pavement Sweeper Operators.
Ron has worked for Euxton since September 2002 and previously worked for both South Ribble and West Lancashire Borough Councils and so brings a lot of experience to Euxton Parish.
Since Ron began he has taken on a number of major projects including the regular clearing of the footpath leading from Bank Lane through the woods beside Ransnap Brook and splitting off up to Greenside. Cutting back overhanging weeds and shrubbery, clearing away years of mud and debris from the edges of the path to allow the rainwater to flow off it and leave a clear tidy way for pedestrians.
Jack joined the Euxton team in January 2004.
Jack concentrates on the three play areas in the village for his main work but also carries out all the duties the other Village Caretakers do, when the play areas have been tended to.
Since Jack joined the team the play areas have received regular, concentrated attention and it shows in the quality and tidyness. Weeds are a major problem as they very easily take hold in the loose soft bark surface pf the play areas and need constant weeding.
Also there is often problems with smashed glass bottles, from older children using the play areas in the evening. All the pieces need hand picking to ensure the surface is glass free for the young children and toddlers to use the play areas.
Stephen joined the team April 2008.
Stephen worked for 30 years at the British Aerospace site here in Euxton, before it closed in December 2007.
Stephen is part of the team, and between the three caretakers they cover all the work in Euxton which includes using the pavement sweeper, keeping the play areas safe and clean, litter picking, carrying out projects - such as Stephen is seen here doing. He was helping Ron, Jack, the Clerk and Councillor Alan Platt construct three new picnic seats on the Millennium Green - see article
