130 Years of Wilmington Parish Council

The inaugural Meeting of the Parish Council was held on 4th Dececember1894, the sole purpose being to elect nine Parish Councillors as required under the Local Government Act 1894. 17 Nomination Papers had been received but two were declared 'invalid', although the reason is unknown. A vote was taken of those persons present and, as there was no call for a Parish Poll, the following residents were elected as The Parish of Wilmington's first Parish Councillors -

James Allen (84 votes)*; William Blackman (70); John Jukes (66); Frank Capel (65); Henry Huxley (65); Charles Morgan (62); Charles Carpenter (59); John Bowles (48) and Artur Wood (45).

* Councillor Allen resigned at the Meeting of the Council held the following month and the vacancy was filled by Gerorge Weller as recorded in the Minutes of the Meeting held on 19th February 1895.

The first Full Meeting of the Council was held on 31st December 1894 with the Minutes reading -

Minutes of the Meeting held on 31st December 1894

At the first Meeting of the Wilmington Parish Council held on Monday the 31st December 1894 at the Schools at 7 o’clock in the evening. Present Mr Blackman. Mr Brown, Mr Capel, The Revd H V H Cowell. Mr Hind, Mr Huxley, Mr Jukes and Mr Morgan.

All the elected Members of the Council were present with the exception of Mr James Allen, and declarations of acceptance of office were duly signed by each Memberin attendance and witnessed.

Proposed by the Revd H V H Cowell seconded by Mr Morgan and carried unanimously that during the election of Chairman Mr Hind should take the Chair

Proposed by Mr Morgan seconded by Mr Blackman and carried unanimously that Mr Capel be the Chairman of the Council

Proposed by Mr Jukes seconded by Mr Brown and so carried unanimously that Mr Morgan be the Vice-Chairman.

Resolved unanimously that Mr E L Turner of Dartford be the Clerk to the Council his remuneration as such to be fixed at a future Meeting.

Proposed by Mr Huxley seconded by Mr Hind and carried unanimously that the Meetings be held at the Schools.

Proposed by Mr Blackman seconded by the Revd H V H Cowell and carried unanimously that the time of the Meetings shall be 6.30 in the evening.

Unanimously resolved that a Meeting be held on Monday the 7th January 1895 to appoint Trustees of the Parish Charities.as to the the election of Parish Councillors

Resolved unanimously that a Meeting of the Council be held on Tuesday the 22nd January 1895 to consider and decide on the following matters –

Obtaining land for allotments

Appointment of Treasurer of the Council

Issuing call on Overseers

Passing accounts of expenses of recent Parish Meeting and Poll as to the election of Parish Councillors

The state and condition of the Pond near the Vicarage and alteration and improvement thereof

Proposed by the Chairman (Mr Capel) and seconded by Mr Morgan and carried unanimously that Mr Allen be permitted to take the declaration of acceptance of office not later than at the Meeting to be held on 22nd day of January 1895.

Mr Brown and Mr Huxley were unanimously appointed by the Council a Committee to order and obtain as soon as possible a Table and two Lamps and oil for the use of the Council at their Meetings.

The Clerk was directed to obtain 9 port folios, two Ink Stands, Pens and paper and any other necessary stationery.

NOTE –

• The Minutes were signed as a true record at the Meeting held on 7th January 1895
• The Minutes of the Meeting held on 22nd January 1895 record that the cost of the Table was £1 14s 6d whilst the Lamps and oil cost £2 19s 6d

The Parish Council Office at Oakfield Park Pavilion houses the Minutes of both and every subsequent Meeting of the Council. If any resident wishes to trawl through the Minutes or look at those covering a specific period please contact the Parish Clerk to make arrangements to visit the Office (e-mail to clerk-wpc@outlook.com). Please note that any visit will have to be at a time when the Clerk is present and, if the interest is for a specific, please include the required period in your e-mail so that the relevant Minutes can be made available.