parish council

concerned member public · Guest

It was bought to my attention that early in the new year (2002), That the chairman of the parish council got in touch with the objectors, Professor Keith Clayton and Eric Couzens, And i was wondering what was the outcome of this. I would be interested to find out, What the parish council are doing to help these poor people, who's livelyhood depend upon action being taken today.

nigel · Joined: 12 Nov 2002 Posts: 9 Location: SWINDON

The outcome I suspect was that a blissfully unaware Proffesor Clayton was alerted to a meeting soon to be held.

An interesting entry in the petition may add food for thought, well done Simon Wain from Nottingham, a well thought out and worded comment. Just a minor point, I understand that the 'MACE' shop is now run by Howard Adams son, but, owing to other 'buisness interests in Walcot I am sure that you are right, the repairs would meet with no objection from Mr Couzens.

Malcolm Kerby · CCAG Joined: 09 Nov 2002 Posts: 120

Apologies for the delay in responding,unavoidable I am afraid. Hopefully I can clarify the points you raised.Prof. Keith Clayton alledgedly stated quite openly at a gathering earlier this year that he was contacted by the Chairman of Happisburgh and Walcott Parish Council asking him to object to the proposed scheme saying "we" ( the parish council )" do not want it unfortunately those who elect us do". I am absolutely convinced that there were then and still are other parish councillors wholly unaware of the circumstances under which Clayton learned of the publication of the scheme. I would certainly welcome his comments.

Mike · Guest

It seems from reading the pages of information that the Parish Council is not representing the people of Happisburgh. How do these people remain in power? We should put up candidates who do represent the people and we would then have the ability to influence decisions for the benefit of the people of Happisburgh .

Malcolm Kerby · CCAG Joined: 09 Nov 2002 Posts: 120

Mike,You are absolutely correct. Hopefully the people of Happisburgh will solve the problem at the May elections.

Mike · Guest

Malcolm Kerby

How do we go about getting new candidates to challenge the present occupants?

Mark · Guest

My understanding is that you will have to wait until the next election for the Parish Council and then field your own candidates. The date for this should be available, I would suspect, from the district council.
If members of the village wish to put forward their views then they have the right to do this at the annual Parish Meeting. This is (surprise surprise) an annual event and if the last one has just been, then you have a long time to wait. There is however, the ability for a Parish Meeting to be called at any time (so I understand) by six electors of the parish giving 7 days notice in writing with a set agenda. This should be publicised (I am not sure about the details on this point) and a copy sent to the chairman of the Parish Council (I am not sure whether this is mandatory).
All this does depend upon enough people of Happisburgh having the balls to stand up and be counted in the face of their Parish Council. If you can't get enough people to do so then you are stuffed. If you can get enough people to turn up then a Village Hall full of local people telling the Parish Council that they disagree with them can be quite daunting and certainly makes the point especially if you can get your local district councillor along to witness it. It would certainly highlight the fact that the Parish Council is out of touch with its electorate - the next step is to vote them off.
If you need guidance I have certainly found the Norfolk County Association of Parish and Town Councils very helpful. Their address is:-
20 Market Place
Hingham,
Norfolk
NR9 4AF
Tel 01953 851408
They can give guidance over rules and regulations etc. Given that the role of a Parish Council is to promote and protect the interests of its community and that your council does not seem to be doing this it might be an idea to discuss the problem with them.
I understand that the Parish Council is claiming that some of the residents of Happisburgh are 'not in Happisburgh' . It might be worthwhile checking with the district council whether the residents of those addresses are in Happisburgh and have voting rights re the Parish Council. If they do I wonder whether this would amount to disenfranchisement. Were this so then the legality of this might be explored to determine whether this amounted to maladministration.
I hope that you find some of this interesting if not useful.

Tania Ling · Guest