We’ve had very similar problems to those described above at our Parish Council.

As the author of this blog points out, individual councillors are not all bad, at all. In my opinion, its something to do with the culture of an organisation, – as a whole and group dynamics. After all, bullying & intimidation can plague all sorts of organisations. I think what makes it different and particularly painful in the case of Parish Councils, is the breakdown of democracy. I also think that if people sit by and do nothing when such dysfunctional behaviour is going on, they are in a sense, complicit.

The public are a part of this thing too. Its a particularly vicious cycle if or when the public don’t get involved, as has been / is the case here.

Going back to filming, it shouldn’t be a taboo. It can help engage the public as a tool of communication. It stops bad behaviour. It makes the thing ‘public’. And that is what democracy should be.

(‘Milborne Port Parish Council’ at Youtube)