LOL The Irony
On Moderation
This meeting took place in December for the Handforth Parish Council. Enjoy the highlights.
Its somewhat confusing to know what's happening without background - basically two councillors called this meeting because the Chair (the one kicked out) hadn't done so yet (and probably didn't want to). Jackie was an apolitical addition to check the meeting went smoothly - after the Parish council had been reported previously - which it...didn't. The Chair had some authority but was able to be kicked out due to his ridiculous behaviour. Him and his other mate cackling in the background.
A few of these people were elected unopposed, and parish councils are the lowest level of political structure, below your average local council. They are also unpaid, so you do tend to get retired males elected onto the body, some of whom have some pretty shocking standards of etiquette. That plus the general lack of knowledge of technology makes this what it is haha.
I really don’t get the point of parish/town councils; seems like a total waste of money and an old boys club. As you point out many of these councillors are elected unopposed, yet parish councils often command high precepts added to your council tax bills.A few of these people were elected unopposed, and parish councils are the lowest level of political structure, below your average local council. They are also unpaid, so you do tend to get retired males elected onto the body, some of whom have some pretty shocking standards of etiquette. That plus the general lack of knowledge of technology makes this what it is haha.
I really don’t get the point of parish/town councils; seems like a total waste of money and an old boys club. As you point out many of these councillors are elected unopposed, yet parish councils often command high precepts added to your council tax bills.
Parish and town councils in England (community and town councils in Wales) are the smallest areas of civil administration, providing the statutory tier of local government closest to the people. Parish councils provide and maintain playing fields, monuments, footpaths, bus shelters and churchyards, administer local charities and may impose a limited local rate. Good entertainment anyway! I've attended several of these as a County Council officer and they have always been, well, parochial. I expect it's hard to get people to stand as councillors and officers, as it is in many clubs and societies so there's little competition at election time.I really don’t get the point of parish/town councils; seems like a total waste of money and an old boys club. As you point out many of these councillors are elected unopposed, yet parish councils often command high precepts added to your council tax bills.
I understand what they do but it definitely seems a bit pointless. I can’t see how they actually deliver these services in an effective manner; certainly in my experience my local authority (unitary) delivers these services to a very high standard. Where I have seen parish council bus shelters they normally look cheap and nasty and don’t offer very much protection.Parish and town councils in England (community and town councils in Wales) are the smallest areas of civil administration, providing the statutory tier of local government closest to the people. Parish councils provide and maintain playing fields, monuments, footpaths, bus shelters and churchyards, administer local charities and may impose a limited local rate. Good entertainment anyway!
Brilliant!This meeting took place in December for the Handforth Parish Council. Enjoy the highlights.
I really don’t get the point of parish/town councils; seems like a total waste of money and an old boys club. As you point out many of these councillors are elected unopposed, yet parish councils often command high precepts added to your council tax bills.
Ironically, the two councillors elected unopposed were probably the two coolest heads there*!A few of these people were elected unopposed, and parish councils are the lowest level of political structure, below your average local council. They are also unpaid, so you do tend to get retired males elected onto the body, some of whom have some pretty shocking standards of etiquette. That plus the general lack of knowledge of technology makes this what it is haha.
I understand what they do but it definitely seems a bit pointless. I can’t see how they actually deliver these services in an effective manner; certainly in my experience my local authority (unitary) delivers these services to a very high standard. Where I have seen parish council bus shelters they normally look cheap and nasty and don’t offer very much protection.
It was this time last year when we relocated to the border area of Handforth, that abuts Wilmslow. A brand new war memorial was built in the centre of the town area and I ask if anyone on this website knows which body was responsible for its construction.
I think there is a case for local Parish and Town Councils in the right circumstances.
In Hertfordshire we have a two tier system of county and District councils that seems to work well. There is a rumour that this might all get swept away and replaced with one huge unitary authority covering the whole county. Supposedly more efficient but no doubt more faceless as well and getting someone in the distant council headquarters 50 miles away to deal with a small issue like uncollected bins, overgrown hedges, play equipment in the local park etc will become an uphill battle. This is where a well run Town or Parish council can take up the baton and do a better job.
Is there a difference between Clerk and Proper Officer?
Was the meeting properly called or was it called illegally?
Does Jackie Weaver have the authority to remove people from the meeting?
Can the Chairman be removed?
Can the Chairman declare himself Clerk?
Does anyone know who was right in all of this?
That said regardless of who was right some behaviour was very poor.
Perhaps the best bits were firstly someone saying they were in a meeting and they would call someone back and then someone saying ''we're trying to do a Teams meeting you fool!" after everyone was told to turn their microphones off!
Is there a difference between Clerk and Proper Officer?
Was the meeting properly called or was it called illegally?
Can the Chairman declare himself Clerk?
Does Jackie Weaver have the authority to remove people from the meeting?
Can the Chairman be removed?
If the Chairman is removed, should the vice Chair take charge or should a new Chair be elected?
Does anyone know who was right in all of this?
That said regardless of who was right some behaviour was very poor.
Perhaps the best bits were firstly someone saying they were in a meeting and they would call someone back and then someone saying ''we're trying to do a Teams meeting you fool!" after everyone was told to turn their microphones off!
On balance, it would appear the disruptive councillors were wrong to say the extraordinary meeting was invalid.
And, on balance, the exact manner of their exclusions was not in accordance with the Standing Orders – though, in the circumstances, the disruptive councillors can hardly complain.
And in conclusion, on the face of the Standing Orders, Jackie Weaver did not seem to have the authority to call the extraordinary committee meeting – but she did not need to do so.
Weaver did not have authority as ‘Proper Officer’ – but she did not claim that she had such authority and she did need not any such powers for clerking.
Weaver did not appear to have the formal power to exclude the disruptive councillors – but, given that this exclusion was then accepted by the new chair, and that the disruption was plain, that does not seem to practically matter.
And these conclusions can be offered on the basis of reading the Standing Orders – reading and understanding them.
Interesting, thanks.David Allen Green is a well-respected commentator on the law. He wrote
Did Jackie Weaver have the authority? – the law and policy of that Handforth Parish Council meeting
5th February 2021 Handforth Parish Council is not a happy parish council. This is an extract from a formal Letter from the Director of Governance and Compliance at Cheshire District Council (text p…davidallengreen.com
My local town/parish council is an example of how it should be done, and is in my opinion a massive advert for the benefits of a local council, especially in a large Unitary area as Cornwall.I understand what they do but it definitely seems a bit pointless. I can’t see how they actually deliver these services in an effective manner; certainly in my experience my local authority (unitary) delivers these services to a very high standard. Where I have seen parish council bus shelters they normally look cheap and nasty and don’t offer very much protection.
My local town/parish council is an example of how it should be done, and is in my opinion a massive advert for the benefits of a local council, especially in a large Unitary area as Cornwall.
The 4 that cover me side of the parish are very proactive, have taken the time to befriend most of the community. Those 4 have spent most of covid doing shopping for the community, and it’s impossible to go out without seeing at least one of them doing something visible to the public that benefits the area.
None are your stereotypical retired male.
Ironically, the two councillors elected unopposed were probably the two coolest heads there*!
* John Smith and Sue.