Ambitious and Caring
We feel that we are a very ambitious and caring council. By working in partnership with people who are committed to our villages we have improved our community greatly and we want to do even more in the future. Our mission is to deliver quality services to Residents and Businesses within Pelton, Pelton Lane Ends, Newfield, Perkinsville, Grange Villa and parts of West Pelton and High Handenhold.
We are committed to:
- listening to and responding to the views and needs of local residents;
- addressing local residents priorities;
- providing and supporting local youth service amenities and provision;
- supporting our local community centre which in turn services and supports the local community;
- working proactively to improve our villages and the wellbeing of our residents;
- working in partnerships to maximise achievement and efficiency in service delivery;
- delivering and improving upon value for money;
- promoting local democracy;
and we believe that through a combination of the above actions we can
- continually improve our service delivery in a caring and efficient manner.
We hope you enjoy your visit to this web site. If you have any comments on it please let us know.
Your local council
Pelton Parish Council has monthly council meetings which usually take place in Pelton Community Centre on the 4th Wednesday of every month except August and December. Everyone is welcome to attend, so please come along and see for yourself. The Elected Members of the Council are largely residents of Pelton, Pelton Lane Ends, Newfield, Perkinsville, High Handenhold and Grange Villa, who carry out all work on a voluntary basis. The Parish Council currently has a paid Clerk, Mrs Joanne Dickinson who works 10 hours per week and works flexible hours.
The office is open to the public on
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Wednesday |
3.30pm to 5.30pm |
The Clerk administers the Council, dealing with correspondence, communications and all aspects of finance including our accounts. The council also employs people/companies for specific tasks i.e. landscaping and garden services, supply and maintenance of the flower tubs, allotment pest control and litter picking. The council has an annual budget from income it largely receives from the council tax called the precept and this is used to pay for things in the villages regarded by the councillors as important to the community.
You should be able to find what you need to know about the Parish Council from our web site. If not please feel free to contact us by phone, post or email. If you would like to speak directly to the Parish Clerk you can contact the Clerk as follows-
Clerks Contact Details:
Email: clerk@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
Pelton Parish Council, Pelton Community Centre, Front Street, Pelton, County Durham, DH2 1DE
Telephone- 07912688050
Comments, Compliments and Complaints
However you feel about our services or if you have any suggestions to help us improve, Pelton Parish Council wants to hear your feedback. By understanding your views we can learn and improve the service and amenities we provide to you. If you have a complaint which is not resolved by the council then you can make a formal complaint. You can access our complaints procedure on this link Pelton Parish Council Complaints Procedure
The following information details the Parish Councillors and the wards they represent. In addition, any Committees they are part of are detailed in the information. If you would like to contact any of the Parish Councillors please email the Clerk on clerk@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk with your enquiry and the message will be forwarded to them.
This is a record of training undertaken by Councillors as at 4.2.26. This document is updated on a regular basis.
Record of Councillor Training Undertaken
Cllr Danny Wood, (Pelton Ward)- Chair of the Parish Council – email cllrdwood@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
I have been a Pelton Parish Councillor since 2017 and have served as Chair of the Parish Council since September 2020. I was a Durham County Councillor representing Pelton Division between 2017 and 2025. I live locally with my wife and two dogs and I am also a member of Urpeth and Ouston Parish Councils.
I have a degree in British Politics and Legislative Studies and believe that Parish Councils have the power to make a big difference in people’s lives due to how close they are to the local communities they represent. Over the last few years I have sought to find ways for our three local parish councils to work together to improve the wider area.
My priorities are road safety, support for our community centres and working to make our communities clean and safe.
Member of the following Committees- Newsletter, Allotment Appeals, Human Resources Management, Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, Newsletter & Community Events Working Group.
Cllr Joyce Barker (Pelton Ward) – email address- cllrjbarker@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
I have been a Parish Councillor since June 2021 and my priorities are trying to keep the villages clean tidy and safe as well as supporting Roseberry Primary School with litter Picking .
Member of the following Committees- Allotment Committee & Newsletter.
Cllr Irene Brown (Pelton Ward)- email address cllribrown@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
I have been Pelton parish councillor since 2021 and I am currently a member of the allotment sub committee and the HR committee. I’m a retired local government officer,keen gardner and allotment holder. I am also a trustee of Pelton community centre.
As a local councillor I feel privileged to be part of the decision making process that influences service provision and support for the residents of Pelton and enables Pelton to be a safe and pleasant place to live.
Member of the following Committees- Allotment Committee, HR Management & Neighbourhood Plan Working Group.
Cllr Stephen Hann (Pelton Ward) – email address cllrshann@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk.
I am an ex miner and school teacher. As a resident in this community for 44 years when ill health forced me to take early retirement I became involved with local activities and joined the PC in 2010. I have served as Vice-chair and Chair and now represent Pelton as Chair of the countywide Smaller Councils group and also on the CDALC Executive.
I am actively involved with the allotments, schools and the fun-days we have every year. I also liaise with the local surgery helping to promote positive interaction between the surgery and the Community Centre[s].
Member of the following Committees- Allotment, Human Resource Disciplinary, Newsletter, Community Events, Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, County Durham Association of Local Councils (CDALC), Smaller Local Councils Committee and the Chester le Street CDALC.
Cllr Miriam Lonsdale-Cope (Pelton Ward)- I have a keen interest in arranging events for our community.
Member of the following Committees- Human Resource Disciplinary, Allotment Committee. Community Events Committee
Cllr Paul Pringle (Pelton Ward)- email address cllrppringle@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
was first elected to the Parish Council in 2018. I have served on the allotment committee since elected. I have also been a County Councillor in the Pelton Division between 2021 to 2025. I aim to keep our Parish as safe as possible, by reducing Anti Social Behaviour & maximising Road Safety Measures. Also supporting our Community Centres, so they benefit all of the community.
Member of the Parish Council Allotment Committee, Representative for Regional Allotment Society
Cllr Michelle Radford (Grange Villa Ward)- email address cllrmradford@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
I am Vice Chair of the Parish Council, a Chair of School Governors at West Pelton Primary School.
Vice Chair of the Parish Council
Member of the following Committees- Allotment, Human Resource Management, Neighbourhood Plan Working Group.
Cllr Alex Nelson (Pelton Ward)- I joined Pelton Parish Council during the COVID crisis, having lived in Pelton since 2012. My interests are in public transport, having run the ticket office at Chester le Street railway station for 18 years. I now sell tickets on line and market an all stations map of the National Rail network.
I am a member of St Mary and St Cuthbert’s church in Chester le Street and promote its Saxon heritage. I am concerned about local mental health provision, particularly for young people, and support the Council and neighbourhood wardens in smartening up the villages so they are safe and pleasant places to live.
Member of the following Committees- Allotment Appeals and Newsletter
Cllr Jake Rollings (Pelton Ward)- email address- cllrjrollings@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
I have a background in Youth Work and enjoy taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Training sessions for the local residents.
Member of the following Committees- Allotment Appeals, Community Events, Human Resource Appeals, County Durham Association of Local Councils (CDALC), Chester le Street CDALC & Smaller Councils Committee
Cllr James Steele (Grange Villa Ward)- email address- cllrjsteele@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
I am James Steele known as Jimmy
I was coopted onto the Parish council in 2023 and Elected in 2025.
I have a BSc degree from the open university
My interests are community and environment.
I am a committee member of Grange Villa Community Enterprise and Parish Council rep on the board of trustees of Pelton Community centre.
Having lived in Grange Villa for 60 years I am aware of the improvement needs of the Parish.
Member of the following Committees- Human Resource Appeals, Allotment Appeals, Newsletter & Community Events Working Group. Parish Council Representative to Pelton Community Centre.
Cllr Clare Todd (Pelton Ward)- email cllrctodd@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
Hello, my name is Clare Todd
I have been involved in local communities in and around Chester le Street for 40 years. I have been a volunteer on local groups and on several committees and working groups in that time. I have been a Pelton Parish Councillor since 2018 and have been on several of our working groups and committees since joining the parish.
I am passionate about the local community and area living locally myself; I recently became a Councillor of Urpeth Parish Council, and I believe in linking the three Parish Councils as much as possible we can achieve more together.
I support local littering picking groups including the Roseberry School litter picking after school club.
I am currently a trustee for Pelton Community Centre and keen to support our local community buildings and the different groups where I can – if I can’t, I will find someone who can!
My priorities are support for our local community centres, road safety, and working to make our communities clean and safe. I believe by working closer we can achieve a lot together.
Member of the following Committees-Chair of the Community Events Working Group. Allotment Committee, Newsletter & Neighbourhood Plan Working Group
Cllr Gary Thompson (Grange Villa Ward)- email address= cllrgthompson@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
I have an interest in the allotments as Chair of the Allotment Committee.
Chair of the Parish Council Allotment Committee, Member of the following Committees – Neighbourhood Plan Working Group and HR Disciplinary.
Cllr Gerry Walker (Pelton Ward)- email address- cllrgwalker@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
Since I became a Parish Councillor I have been Chair of the Parish Council and was previously the Chair of the Allotment Committee.
Member of the following Committees- Allotment and Human Resource Appeals. Parish Council Representative for Grange Villa Enterprise Centre.
Cllr Michael (Mick) Rodgers-(Pelton Ward)- email address- cllrmrodgers@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
I have been parish councillor since May 2006 ( nearly 20 years ).I have a passion for Pelton and would like to think I have made a positive contribution during that time for the betterment of Pelton and its residents.I am also chairman of the board of trustees at Pelton Community Centre and work closely with the council to give the local community a place for people of all ages to enjoy. I work with the local police as a volunteer and the Local Networks ( formerly the AAP ) as a forum member.
Member of the Allotment Appeals Committee
Cllr Patrick (Paddy) McGough– (High Handenhold Ward)- email address= cllrpmcgough@peltonparishcouncil.gov.uk
Co-opted on 20th May 2025
I have only recently joined Pelton Parish Council in 2025 and I am looking forward to the challenges and rewards it can bring. I think a community spirit is very important, which is why I have been in talks with Pelton Community Centre to launch a
Pelton Community radio station delivering all the news and entertainment from the area. As someone who spent 30 years in the Army Cadets I support all youth projects but also I believe we should not lose sight of our older generation either.
Member of the following committees- Newsletter, Community Events Working Group and Allotment Appeals
Please follow the links for each individual Councillors Acceptance of Office
Cllr Joyce Barker- Acceptance of Office redacted – Copy
Cllr Irene Brown- Acceptance of Office redacted – Copy
Cllr Stephen Hann- Acceptance of Office
Cllr Miriam Lonsdale-Cope- Acceptance of Office redacted
Cllr Patrick McGough- Acceptance of Office redacted
Cllr Alex Nelson- Acceptance of Office redacted – Copy
Cllr Paul Pringle- Acceptance of Office- redacted
Cllr Michelle Radford- Acceptance of Office redacted
Cllr Michael Rodgers- Acceptance of Office redacted – Copy
Cllr Jake Rollings- Acceptance of Office redacted – Copy
Cllr James Steele- Acceptance of Office redacted
Cllr Gary Thompson- Acceptance of Office redacted – Copy
Cllr Clare Todd- Acceptance of Office redacted – Copy
Cllr Gerald Walker- Acceptance of Office redacted – Copy
Joanne Dickinson- Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer- BSC (Hons) in International Studies.
Training undertaken
- Introduction to Local Council Administration- Fully Completed on 5th November 2018.
- Level 3 Certificate in Local Council Administration- Fully completed on 31st July 2019.
- Audit Training on 3rd April 2019.
- New Clerk one day training course on 3rd September 2019.
- Completing a funding application training course on 9th December 2019.
- Society of Local Council Clerks- Virtual Conference attended 5 sessions.
7.10.21- Planning Applications and how to respond effectively which comprised of:
- A summary of the planning application process
- The role of the parish/town council
- How planning applications are assessed (including an understanding of ‘material planning considerations’)
- Practical advice on responding to applications (including do’s and don’ts, and reference to typical application scenarios)
- How a Planning Committee works, including tips for speaking at Planning Committee
- Member Interests – Declaring them and Dealing with them at Meetings on 18th January 2022
- Understanding disclosable pecuniary and other interests
- What you must declare and when
- Implications of these interests for involvement in discussions and decision making at meetings about related items. Presentation by Kamila Coulson-Patel, Durham County Council’s Governance Solicitor and facilitated by Steve Ragg/Audrey Christie, CDALC Executive Officers
Neighbourhood Planning Information Session
Tues 1 Feb 2022 online, 6-7.30pm FREE- The briefing will provide a useful overview of neighbourhood planning, including an update on activity across Durham County where there are now eight adopted plans. It will also cover funding options, as well as practical insights from a group who have recently adopted their plan including advice on how to get the most out of the process.
Presenters
Stuart Carter from Durham County Council’s Spatial Policy Team
Sally Laverick, Lanchester Parish Council’s Clerk and other member/s of Lanchester Neighbourhood Plan’s working group
Neighbourhood planning is a useful tool which gives your community the opportunity to plan for your local area and help shape the way it changes in the future. Neighbourhood planning gives your community the opportunity to set out proposals that provide more detail to the County Durham Plan, and can include:
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- developing a shared vision for your neighbourhood
- choosing where new development should be built
- identifying and protecting local green spaces and heritage assets
- having a say on what new buildings should look like
Managing Allotments- Thursdays 20th and 27th Jan and 3rd Feb 2022 6 – 7.30pm, Virtual training on Zoom
- Thurs 20th Jan 2022 at 6pm Tenancy Agreements and Policies
- Thurs 27th Jan 2022 at 6pm Site Facilities and Health and Safety
- Thurs 3rd Feb 2022 at 6pm Self Management by Associations
Learning outcomes:
An understanding of the management aspects for allotments
Practical tips using examples from day to day problems
Guidance of the Legal requirements of the local authority relating to allotments
What further tools and information are available
What new developments are on the horizon
Our presenter will be
Liz Bunting, Legal and Operations Manager, The National Allotment Society
- Financial Introduction to Local Council Administration- Fully Completed on 21.2.22
- Managing Community Assets Training on 15th March 2022
- Community Engagement Training on 3rd May 2022-
Engaging with your local community is essential for listening to your community, understanding its differing needs, being accountable, keeping residents and businesses informed of your work and priorities and fostering a sense of community.
Our course will explore how your council can improve engagement with your community and give you more confidence in delivering services, decision making and providing leadership in the community.
- Volunteers and the Law training Course held on 7th June 2022
- Village Green Training Course held on 20th June 2022
- Community Emergency Planning Meeting arranged by CDALC on 28.6.22
- Common Land Training held on 12th July 2022.
- Rights of Way training held on 9th August 2022.
- Tree planting- current opportunities in County Durham on 22.9.22.
- Finance and Budget Training by CDALC on 18.10.22
- Creating a Strategic Vision for Shaping the Future- Webinar by the SLCC on 8.11.22.
- Managing Meetings Training course arranged by CDALC on 8.11.22
- Play area Information day held on 9.11.22 at The Glebe Centre, Murton
- Code of Conduct/Register of Interest Training course delivered by Helen Lynch, Head of Legal & Democratic Services, Durham County Council on 12th July 2023
8.1.24- Data protection Training- Part 1, Foundation and Theory
16.4.24- Recruitment and Selection Training
14.5.24- Attendance Management Training
21.5.24- Disciplinary and Grievance Management Policy Training Course
3.7.24- Internal Controls Training
5.12.24- Introduction to Safeguarding Training
28.1.25- Renting your space for the benefit of the community
11.2.25- Safeguarding Responsibilities Training from Durham Community Action
20th March, 27th March, 3rd April – Health and Safety Training
8.4.25- PREVENT Training course
LITTER PICKERS
The Parish Council employs 2 Litter Pickers- Norman Wilson and Janice Shaw.