A NEWLY-elected councillor has suggested that members of the public find it “intimidating” when the council chairman wears a chain of office.
Coun Stephen Taylor – formerly a member of action group Stockton Heath Alternative Residents’ Council (SHARC) – was attending his first meeting of the parish council.
He suggested the chairman’s chain of office should not be worn at every meeting.
“I feel the chain of office is intimidating – maybe it should only be used for ceremonial occasions,” he said.
“It should only be used for special occasions or meetings. Other parish councils in the area do not use it.
Coun Celia Jordan said: “It had never occurred to me to discuss it.”
She proposed the matter should be discussed by the parish council’s Village Committee.
A NEWLY-elected councillor has suggested that members of the public find it "intimidating" when the council chairman wears a chain of office.
Chain of office intimidating
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
5 Comments
If this is the most important thing parish councillors are worried about then no wonder people feel apathetic about local politics!
This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard! I can assure people that the chain of office is always worn at meetings of Culcheth & Glazebury Parish Council, and no-one has ever felt intimidated! This sort of comment gives us all a bad name.
Stephen Taylor – you haven’t got a clue have you!
I bet the Tories are wondering what they have got in bed with now!
Chains are a great honour and a tradition – kids love seeing the Mayor in thewir chain of office and parish chairmen – and women.
Intimidating my ….!
Some Parish Councillors are voted on board by members of the public… others are co-opted on by the Parish Council members themselves.
The chairperson of a Parish Council is then voted by the members of the Parish Council ONLY (and not by the public) so why should this one person get to wear a regal chain anyway ?
Seems to me that the chain around the neck for some people only gives them a unfounded sense of power over the rest of the council members and the public.
Parish Councillors are simply people who are supposed to represent the more public so perhaps the latter should wear the chains 🙂
First of all, let me respond to Harry; this item was an item of AOB at the end of the meeting, it was hardly the top of the agenda. Let me reassure you, far more important issues were discussed. Then there is Cllr Hutchinson, who rattled your chain? If that is the most riduclous thing you have ever heard then I am glad to be of service, well I never! Followed closely by Chain Reaction, well I think I know who you are, come on reveal yourself and stop hiding behind the pseudonym. You have accused the Consevatives before of getting into bed with the wrong people. I think you need a new phrase! If nothing I am a traditionalist, and chains of office should be worn when appropriate, I was merely suggesting that we could make our PC meetings more user friendly by not always using it. If I have it wrong, then so be it, I am not afraid of saying I might be wrong. Finally, thank you Toilet Chain, this was the very reason I made the suggested change. No doubt we will discuss this within Stockton Heath PC, and whatever the final decsion is, I shall abide by it.