Posted on Saturday, 30th July 2016 | 10 Comments I write this piece as someone who has dedicated a very significant amount of time and energy to the support of Melbourn Village. Moreover, along the way I have gained much insight into the difficulties encountered by those who serve as Parish Councillors and also the great benefit the Parish Council normally brings to the smooth running of the local community. Councillors work hard, for no financial reward, and are only infrequently recognised and thanked. It is thus with great sadness that I watch what is now happening to the relationship between the Parish Council and the residents of Melbourn. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to conclude that an irreconcilable breakdown of trust has occurred between the Council and residents at large. Surprisingly, the most important conclusion that emerges from this situation is that it has now become irrelevant as to what members of the council may or may not have done, or, if and to what extent rules or laws have been broken. The guilt or innocence of individual Councillors actually makes little difference. The Council is no longer seen to represent the village of Melbourn by a very large number of local people; this perception is not going to change without a ‘restart’ process. Community faith in this local body will not be restored easily. Clever defensive argument will not work. Hunkering down and hoping the situation will be forgotten is not a solution. If options like these continue to be deployed, the Council almost certainly faces weeks of meeting-by-meeting heckling and disruption until it completely ceases to function. This is surely not an honourable way forward. I urge all Parish Councillors to request an Extraordinary General Meeting to debate and agree the resignation of all serving Councillors. This courageous decision could then be followed by the democratic re-election of a new Parish Council. Please demonstrate you are in control while a vestige of control remains in your hands. Posted on behalf of a concerned resident 1632
For the current situation regarding councillors who have so far chosen not to resign please visit: https://scambs.moderngov.co.uk/mgParishCouncilDetails.aspx?ID=362&LS=4 Reply
Yet there are still (as of yesterday) some councillors clinging on and not resigning. The council is now inquorate and cannot enact any business, and yet not all have resigned. Please, would the remaining councillors stand down and offer themselves for re-election. Let us get a completely clean start with the majority of councillors elected (there are 4 seats that would still need to be co-opted). Clinging to your seat like this suggests that you think that you would not be re-elected… *IF* that is true, then it stinks. Reply
Following on from my previous comment I can now comfirm that I have sent my letter of resignation to the Parish Clerk. I felt confident to do this as the majority of councillors who voted not to receive the grievance report have now resigned. I believe this means an election can be called which will provide an opportunity for a fresh start as described by Susan van de Ven in the comments above. I would however hope that one of the first actions of the new council will be to acknowledge the problems of the past, apologise to those that have been wronged and implement the recommendations of the grievance panel set up by CAPALC and lead by Councillor Douglas De Lacey. Reply
I hear what Andrew is saying and think ‘external factors’ also come into play. I will resign and stand for re-election. I will also continue to follow up on the external factors such as the complaints I have already made to South Cambs Monitoring Office and the Police. I urge others to seek Freedom of Information requests and use their voice to say “enough is enough.” It is never ok to use bullying or intimidating behaviour toward another human being – I still feel amazed that the person who demonstrated such behaviour has admitted this and ‘others’ have chosen to not accept this admission. I hope the people who have served on the Parish Council for much longer than I have do what I believe is the honourable thing and resign- time will tell and impact on their reputation in Melbourn. Reply
And if all but 5 don’t resign Susan, as you know there will be no election and the remaining councillors can co opt on who they want. Reply
Hi Andrew, In fact when a councillor resigns there is a window of time in which I believe ten electors can request an election for that post. After that period has elapse, there is no opportunity for election and co-option by the PC is the only avenue for bringing new members onto the council. That said, this would not produce the mandate for change and new start that an all-out election for all positions would provide. In such exceptional circumstances as now exist, the latter all-out option would seem a very good thing. Reply
Technical your right Susan about election then co option route, But if there are less than 5 on the council, the council can not form a quorum to do any business. And as the PC has had 4 places vacant for months without anyone coming forward, and no one at any of the recent meetings has wanted to come forward to represent the village, I am for ever hopeful, but would not be surprised if finding 10 people to step forward to stand now was possible. We keep trying and its great to see 100 plus parishioners at our meetings, I just hope some get more involved. Reply
This piece is written with such insight and sensitivity. Melbourn Parish Council has always set a great example of going the extra mile and endeavouring to make the village a better place to live. It just need to get back on track. Elections are good things. Newly elected councillors, returning or brand new, would have the mandate for a fresh start for everyone. Reply