Agenda item

To consider whether to delegate power to make orders under section 91 Local Government Act 1972 to enable the continued functioning of Hermitage Parish Council. The Parish Council has had a number of resignations recently and is currently ‘inquorate’ which means that it cannot undertake its decision making processes. This paper seeks to temporarily resolve this situation by making temporary appointments to the Parish Council.

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 3) concerning whether to delegate power to make orders under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972 to enable the continued functioning of Hermitage Parish Council (the Parish). There had been a number of resignations from the Parish recently and as a result was currenting ‘inquorate’ meaning that it could not undertake its decision making processes. This report sought to temporarily resolve this situation by making temporary appointments to the Parish Council.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Jeff Brooks and seconded by Councillor Iain Cottingham:

That the Council:

“Delegates authority to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Group Leaders, to make an Order to appoint Parish Councillors to ensure that the inquorate Parish Council was made quorate and could continue to act.”

Councillor Brooks acknowledged that the Parish had been going through a difficult time, impacting on both the remaining Councillors and those individuals who had recently took the decision to stand down.

The purpose of this item was to appoint two Parish Councillors on a temporary basis to assist the Parish and enable it to function for the benefit of its residents. The individuals proposed were Councillors Heather Codling and Paul Dick, both of whom were Ward Councillors for the area.

Councillor Brooks explained that both Councillors were extremely dedicated and experienced public representatives. Councillor Codling had served on Cold Ash Parish Council for a number of years and Councillor Dick, as a former Secondary Headteacher for many years, had done much for the children and young people of the district, and for their families.

Councillor Dominic Boeck agreed that the two District Councillors had much to offer the Parish. He did however query if they had the necessary time to undertake the role.

Councillor Carolyne Culver explained that while she had not spoken to Councillor David Marsh, the Minority Group Leader, for his view, she echoed her support for Councillors Codling and Dick to be appointed to the Parish. They had already given great service to West Berkshire Council and would do likewise on the Parish.

Councillor Clive Taylor was the Chairman of his local Parish Council and had encountered difficulties with achieving a quorum on occasion. He therefore queried whether two temporary appointments would be sufficient.

Councillor Adrian Abbs felt it would be useful to explain the next steps in the process for the benefit of residents.

Councillor Tony Vickers explained that he had supported Greenham Parish Council when they found themselves in a similar situation with achieving a quorum in the past. Parish councils did a great deal for their local communities and it was important for West Berkshire Council to assist the Parish with moving forward in a positive way.

Councillor Iain Cottingham reinforced that parish and town councils performed a very important role in their local areas, doing a great deal to contribute to local communities. It was therefore crucial to get the Parish back up and running.

Councillor Brooks responded to the points made during the debate. Councillors Codling and Dick had both confirmed their willingness and their ability to support the Parish.

The appointment of Councillors Codling and Dick would result in five Councillors being on the Parish, with a quorum of four. It could then follow that other Councillors could be co-opted onto the Parish. Elections could become necessary dependent on the number of candidates for the roles. It was confirmed that there were 11 positions on the Parish.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.