Council meeting 5th May - seat vacant - denied by Councillors

EXTRA COUNCIL MEETING – ITEMS 1 and 2.

The Extra Meeting of Oakham Parish Council took place last night. The Agenda was given to members’ of the public attending. Since the Clerk has been off ‘ill’ the public have been treated with greater respect under the aegis of the Assistant Clerk. She should, in my opinion, be offered training and the full time position of Clerk. Her ability to tread a non-partisan very thin line, in stressful circumstances, is to be commended.

Previously, retired ex-Councillors and their mates have had copies of the Agenda and the rest of the public has been in absolute ignorance of the agenda, bar the posting outside Vicky Hall. It is refreshing to be able to have a copy of the agenda supplied to one in the meeting. My thanks and congratulations go to the Assistant Clerk, Alison, for providing agendas to the general public, rather than just to the favoured few. The Agenda looked innocent enough, but what a surprise – or was it?

AN EXTRA MEETING OF
OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY 5TH MAY 2010
7.00 PM AT THE OFFICES OF OALHAM TOWN COUNCIL,
VICTORIA HALLM 30 HIGH STREET OAKHAM

AGENDA

1. APOLOGIES
To receive and accept apologies for absence

2. COUNCILLORS QUESTIONS
To answer questions previously notified to the Clerk under Standing Order 23

3. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
To decide whether to exclude the Public and Press during discussions of Items
4 and 5 on the Agenda due to the confidential nature of the business to be
discussed.*

4. DELEGATION TO THE ASSISTANT CLERK

5. STAFFING MATTERS


Martin Brookes had asked 17 questions and, presumably, it was decided by the powers that be that they did not want these questions to be given a public airing at the full public meeting on Wednesday 12th May at 6 pm in the Victoria Hall. One of the questions pertained to the non-attendance of Council members. The Clerk had originally told Martin Brookes that Council members could stay away indefinitely provided they gave their apologies. This was repeated at the meeting last night. I had been in touch with RCC and ascertained this is not the case. Even if apologies are given members may only stay away for six months, after that their seat falls vacant. Quite rightly so, since a Councillor cannot effectively represent his or her electors if they refuse to attend, or are prevented from attending Council meetings through illness. I also understand that Mayor Fillingham is in receipt of an ex-gratia payment of £2,500 for the year from rate payers. This payment has not been suspended whilst she has failed to attend full Council meetings. Politicians are regularly expected to resign on the basis of ‘ill health’ in every other Council bar Oakham Town Council. Nevertheless the Chairman assured Councillor Brookes that Councillors may stay away indefinitely without relinquishing their Council seat, provided apologies are given. Mr Pook of RCC tells me that the seat falls vacant after six months. Cllr Swiffin’s seat is therefore vacant, whatever Councillors may claim. Martin Brookes asked whether this meant that a Councillor could get elected and stay away for his or her entire term of office without being made to relinquish their seat. As usual his verbal questions were ignored whilst the Chairman read out answers to Martin Brookes’ questions.

Interestingly the Agenda for the full Council Meeting to be held on Wednesday 12th May 2010 at 6pm in the Victoria Hall, has a report to be given by Cllr Mayor Jan Fillingham. So there may be a lingering doubt amongst some Council members as to the legality of their decision tonight.

This being Cllr Swiffin’s sixth absence, his seat has become vacant. However the Council refused to accept this, despite Cllr Brookes’ reasonable remonstrations. Cllr Brookes has researched the law and Cllr Brookes is correct. If the Standing Orders are treated in such a cavalier fashion it is time that the Council is fully audited and the rules applied by force if necessary.

I will publish the report of items three to five on another blog today.

Attendance record of Cllrs Swiffin and Fillingham:

FULL COUNCIL MEETING

7 Oct 2009 Fillingham – present
Swiffin - absent

4 Nov 2009 Fillingham - absent
Swiffin - present

2 Dec 2009 Fillingham – present
Swiffin - absent

13 Jan 2010 Fillingham – absent
Swiffin - absent

3 Feb 2010 Fillingham – absent
Swiffin - absent

3 March 2010 Fillingham – absent
Swiffin – absent

7 April 2010 Fillingham – absent
Swiffin - absent

5 May 2010 Fillingham – absent
Swiffin - absent


PLANNING & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE MEETING

21 October 2009 Fillingham – present
Swiffin - absent

18 November 2009 Fillingham – present
Swiffin - absent

27 January 2010 Fillingham – absent
Swiffin - absent

17 February 2010 Fillingham – absent
Swiffin - absent

17 March 2010 Fillingham – absent
Swiffin - absent

April 2010 Fillingham – absent
Swiffin - absent

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 12TH MAY AT 6 PM IN THE VICTORIA HALL. THIS IS THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.