Parish Meeting convened by independents at Culcheth & Glazebury

TWO Independent councillors have called for what they describe as a “unique Parish Meeting” to discuss the current governance and leadership of Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council.

Calling it an “unprecedented move” Cllrs Neil Johnson and Bernie Kingston say it will provide an opportunity for the community to make a stand, after claiming they have been blocked from even speaking at meetings.

A Parish Meeting differs from the traditional monthly meetings of the Parish Council. These special meetings can be convened by six electors, or two serving Parish Councillors under Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972.
A Parish Meeting is a statutory meeting of the local government electors of Culcheth and Glazebury. All electors are entitled to attend, speak and vote.
Newchurch Parish Hall has been selected as the venue to ensure adequate capacity and accessibility for residents. The meeting will take place on Friday, 24th April, from 7 pm until 9 pm. The Parish Council Chair Cllr. Paul Campbell will preside at the meeting.
The outcome of any vote will be recorded and published. While a Parish Meeting cannot dissolve or dismiss a Parish Council, votes can be taken on any question arising at the meeting as a formal expression of the electors’ views and may be submitted to the principal authority. The opportunity also exists to request a Parish poll on any question arising from the meeting, which will mean that electors have the chance to vote formally at polling stations.
Cllr Neil Johnson says: “Enough is enough. For months, we have had to endure a Parish Council shrouded in secrecy, whose members treat the public and local residents with utter contempt. “Together, Labour and the Conservatives have formed an “Anti-Democracy Coalition”.
“Operating a closed shop, they refuse to engage with questions, decline to give certain information about the financial transactions of the Parish Council, and even hire private security to police their meetings.
“They do their best to block Independent councillors from even speaking and frustrate attempts by the public to get involved.
“On 24th April, we will have the opportunity to come together as a community and make a stand. We expect higher standards of our representatives than those which have been demonstrated recently.
“A Parish Meeting is a statutory meeting of the local government electors of Culcheth and Glazebury. It is not a meeting of the Parish Council. All electors are entitled to attend, speak and vote.
“This is a highly unusual move, and there has never been a Parish Meeting held in Culcheth and Glazebury before.
“The sole purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the governance and management of the Parish Council by those currently in charge.
“I encourage anyone who has an interest in these matters to turn up. Bring your friends, your neighbours, your family members. Let us ensure our voices are heard loud and clear.
“The Parish Council has published inaccurate information online about this meeting and its potential consequences. I urge residents not to be swayed by this disinformation campaign.
“We have the right to call for a public vote if we wish on any matter arising in the Parish Meeting.
“It’s time to deliver our verdict. On 24th April, the people will speak. And this time, they will be heard.”

A spokesperson for Culcheth & Glazebury Parish Council responded: “The claim that this is an “unprecedented,” or “unique” event, and that “there has never been a Parish Meeting held in Culcheth and Glazebury before,” is incorrect.
“A Parish Meeting is not a new or exceptional occurrence; it is a standard and longstanding part of local governance. Culcheth and Glazebury has long held Parish Meetings on an annual basis, which is the legal required minimum. In areas such as Warrington, where each Parish also has a Parish Council, the annual Parish Meeting is usually held on the same date as the Annual Parish Council Meeting. As Cllr Johnson has been a Parish Councillor for five years, he should be well aware of this.
“We are concerned by the suggestion that the Council is engaged in any form of “anti-democratic” activity.
“Such language risks misleading residents and undermining confidence in local democratic institutions without justification.
“Residents are, of course, entitled to attend any properly convened Parish Meeting and to express their views. However, it is important that such engagement is based on accurate information and conducted in a respectful and constructive manner.
“The Parish Council chairman will be chairing the meeting and will be setting the standing orders for how the meeting is run, as per the Local Government Act 1972. In accordance with the rules, the meeting will be advertised to the public with at least seven days notice.
“We would advise residents to view the information documents on our website for facts regarding Parish Meetings and Parish Polls.
“Both are funded by the Parish Council and ultimately the residents, whilst neither of them has any legal binding on the Parish Council.
A Parish Poll could be as low as £5000 – £10000, but it could also be much higher as per a recent Parish Poll in Salisbury. This was predicted to be £18000 but ended up costing taxpayers nearly £40000.
All without any binding result. (Source Salisbury City parish poll cost taxpayers nearly £40,000 | Salisbury Journal).