New parish council for Harlestone Manor to hold first ever meeting this week

A new parish council will hold its first ever meeting this week – though it will have to be done virtually due to coronavirus.
The parish council will fall within Daventry district.The parish council will fall within Daventry district.
The parish council will fall within Daventry district.

Harlestone Manor Parish Council was formed in April following a review of local parish council boundaries by Daventry District Council last year.

Its inaugural meeting will take place using Zoom technology at 7pm on Thursday (June 18). Residents are welcome to join the meeting online.

The new council covers the Loxton Fields and Harlestone Manor housing developments off York Way and New Sandy Lane, after proposals by Harlestone Parish Council to split the parish were agreed following a public consultation.

Elections to the new parish council were set to take place in May, but had to be postponed due to the lockdown.

Instead, eight local people who had expressed an interest were appointed as parish councillors, and will sit on the new council until elections can take place in May next year.

Councillor John Shephard represents the Spratton ward on Daventry District Council, in which Harlestone Parish sits, and has been involved in the creation of the new council.

He said: “New parish councils are not established very often, so this is an exciting opportunity for residents of these new developments to get involved in the democratic process and play an important role in this growing community.”

On the agenda for the first meeting is the transfer of public open space at Loxton Fields from David Wilson Homes to the parish council to manage.

It will also appoint a clerk, chairman, vice-chairman and adopt a Code of Conduct.

Related topics: