NLC Tory Cllr’s - double standards? You decide.
23 August 2011 by GaryDay2011As a Councillor in a parish there is nothing more important than listening to the views of the people of the parish because without doing so it is impossible to truly represent their wishes. Tonight (22/08/11) the value of this was highlighted when my Parish Council called a public meeting to seek the parish’s direction in regard to a local matter that potentially impacts on the entire parish community in one way or another.
The meeting was well attended and clear direction was given
to the parish council. As a result, come
the next parish council meeting, things can now be taken forward in the
knowledge that the council does so in a manner that is conducive to the wishes
of those they try to represent and who wanted to voice an opinion on the issue
concerned.This is not unusual because my Parish Council holds a meeting EVERY month and prior to that meeting commencing members of the public are provided with an opportunity to address council members in attendance prior to the meeting commencing so their views can be taken into account. Obviously during the course of the month council members can also be contacted directly, but this facility is an additional way of obtaining residents views AND I would suggest good practice.
Why have I written about this? Because it is a clear example of good council/public interaction on a matter that impacts on the electorate that their council members seek to represent, AND because since taking office, this type of interaction has been “watered down” by the current North Lincolnshire Council Cabinet in regard to Full Council Meetings, something that is unforgiveable.
To have so few opportunities for members of the public to both address and witness in a formal public setting those that represent them is reprehensible. When a county councillor takes up the office he or she has put themselves forward for, they do so on the pretext of representation and accountability to the electorate.
To take control of a council as the Conservative party did in North Lincolnshire in May this year and immediately manipulate the rules to minimise further the amount of occasions that in a public setting their council is held to account is deplorable and undemocratic.
Tonight the public meeting which was held and to which I refer to was chaired by a member of the North Lincolnshire Council Cabinet Neil Poole and arranged with the support of the Parish council which includes two other party controlling North Lincolnshire Council members Trevor Foster and John England (all in the picture above) .
Here’s the part I find amusing, where their Parish is concerned these three North Lincolnshire Councillor’s value the opinions and are prepared to be held to account by their electorate, yet where North Lincolnshire Council is concerned they support a party which does all it can to restrict the electorate they represent in matters which concern them from holding their county councillor’s to account publically.
An interesting position for North Lincolnshire Conservative Councillor’s to be in, don’t you think?
GARY DAY
http://garyday2011.wordpress.com
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Comments
Rather than take the opportunity for yet another party political dig against the Conservatives (you’ve got your own blog for that) couldn’t you have at least posted about the meeting you attended and provide a real local service?
As a Messingham village resident this fine example of democracy in action passed me by – no one told me there was a public meeting.
It pains me to do so but I had to read Councilor Poole’s Blog http://neilpoole.yourcllr.com/2011/08/23/messingham-junior-school-northfield-road/) to find out more:
Messingham Parish Council called for an open public meeting to discuss the future of the old school building on the Northfield Road site.
Close to 100 residents turned up at last nights meeting to air their views and concerns with regards to the future development of the site. There was overwhelming support for the school building to be retained for community use. Ideas came forward for adult education, possible relocation of existing services, young persons cyber cafe and also the building of affordable housing at the rear of the existing playground and field.
Messingham Parish Council meeting on the 12th September when the council will discuss the issues raised by local residents.
So Gary what do the local busy bodies want to spend my taxes on because I’m sure as hell they didn’t turn up with their chequebooks to pay for some ‘retained for community use’ option.
Why don’t we see if we can find a buyer for the building and if not level it and sell the land for development. We do have a budget deficit to pay for.
A bit of digging in the bowels of the Messingham village Website (http://www.messinghamparishcouncil.co.uk/pdfs/PARISH_COUNCIL_MINUTES_201107.pdf) turned up the following:
MESSINGHAM SCHOOL, NORTHFIELD ROAD
It was noted that the Northfield Road school building will be vacated in September and that any
proposed plans for the site have not published by NLC. The Chairman expressed his personal view
that the building and the car park to the left should be saved from development by the Parish
Council, as both a building of historic interest and as a much needed additional social facility in view
of the oversubscribed village hall. A great deal of discussion took place regarding potential financial
implications but it was agreed to write to NLC to express the Parish Council’s interest in the
building’s future and to ask for details of any immediate plans. It was agreed to consider options
and discuss at the next meeting of the Parish Council.
It appears that Neil Poole himself is leading the charge for yet another "social facility".
No wonder he feels at home in the Conservative party - how long before Blue Blair changes its name to the SDP?
Black Flag my apologies for not replying sooner to your questions, unfortunately through other commitments I don’t review this site every day as some do. In regard to your questions I will summarise in this way. Any post I put on this site when placed, are done so in the sites category section as “comment” not in either of the “news” categories. If it appears to come across in some other way than that is for the site administrators to address. This particular item was reproduced from my Blog as is sometimes the case, which clearly states my views are my own and I don’t write for a third party. In regard to the Parish Public Meeting and your questions, a record of what occurred was taken by the Parish Council’s Clerk; it was chaired by the Parish Chairman to receive the comments and opinion of residents of the Parish. If you contact the Parish Council’s Clerk, I am sure she will be able to furnish you with the information you require as taken from her records on the night. In regard to what someone else puts on their Blog and in what capacity that I leave to them.
In regard to “As a Messingham village resident this fine example of democracy in action passed me by – no one told me there was a public meeting.” All I can tell you is that for a large amount of residents present that wasn’t the case and to my knowledge the meeting was publicised on the Parish Council’s notice board, on its website and in local business shop windows as well as on their notice boards for a period PRIOR to the meeting occurring and having checked today some of those notices are still posted in various places. For when they were exactly placed, I would again refer you to the Parish Council’s Clerk. Finally any points regarding Neil Poole should be directed at him.
Our local Tories won't take questions and local labour "parish" councillors it seems won't answer them,same out come different method eh Gary?
Still no response?
Fans64, my apologies for not replying sooner to your question, unfortunately through other commitments I don’t review this site every day as you may do. In regard to your comments I will summarise in this way: It can be interpreted that the reduction of Full Council Meetings (where members of the public pose questions) by the current controlling council under section 2, schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 down to four a year is a manipulation of the rules especially when of the four dates one is the Budget Meeting in February and another is the Annual Meeting in May )both of which don’t allow for questions to the council in a public forum) thereby leaving in fact only two opportunities per year to do so.
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Gary can you tell me what the matter of fact council ruling on questions is,please avoid the politically charged"Tories kill babeees by refusing nurse's questions"
I don't know the actual ruling but it makes Lizzie look an idiot if true
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