Comments on: Some friendly advice

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 13:17:50 +0000

Thanks, Sally Ann.

By: Sally Ann Hart - Ex Parish Councillor

Sally Ann Hart - Ex Parish Councillor — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 12:13:19 +0000

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

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 11:22:00 +0000

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.

By: Sally Ann Hart

Sally Ann Hart — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 08:36:37 +0000

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.

By: andrew mulcock

andrew mulcock — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:39:47 +0000

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.

By: Susan van de Ven

Susan van de Ven — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 10:01:30 +0000

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.

By: Sally Ann Hart - Parish Councillor

Sally Ann Hart - Parish Councillor — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 00:28:22 +0000

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.

By: andrew mulcock

andrew mulcock — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 16:13:00 +0000

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.

By: Susan van de Ven

Susan van de Ven — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 15:05:37 +0000

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.

By: andrew mulcock

andrew mulcock — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 14:32:59 +0000

What happens if some cllrs don’t actually resign?