28 January 2022
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There are 15 seats on Hughenden Parish Council. 9 seats were filled at the Council elections in May.
2 councillors resigned last year – Cllr Hilder and Cllr Chandler.
The Clerk informed Council yesterday afternoon that two more councillors – Cllr Gieler and Air – had resigned. So, the Council now has 5 councillors.
Hughenden Parish Council’s quorum is 5. This means that, if another councillor resigns, it will be unable to conduct its business.
This is the e-mail I sent to the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Nicholls, late last night when I looked at my e-mails and found out two more councillors had resigned. I hope it is self-explanatory.
“Dear Paul
I am surprised that two councillors have resigned on the same day without giving any reasons to the Council. I am particularly surprised after both came to the Extraordinary meeting on Tuesday and gave no indication of their intentions.
Both voted on resolutions which will have financial implications for the Council, not least setting up the controversial Escrow account for the rent money for HCST. Both voted for Council not to release the legal advice on this matter to me when Council already faces possible contempt of court from a previous refusal to provide information. And less than 48 hours later, both resign knowing that they will not have to take responsibility for the decisions they made at that meeting.
I am also surprised that there has been no reaction from other councillors because these resignations put the Council at risk of becoming inquorate and triggering S. 91 of the Local Government Act. I have been saying for months that the Council is in crisis and needs to face facts. And I have to point out that, if the two applications from Jill Armshaw and Debra Main had been put to the January Council and had been accepted as I asked, we would not now be so vulnerable.
I am also surprised that you haven't responded, as Chairman, and suggested we meet urgently to discuss how we can manage. I believe there is a strategy meeting on Monday evening. I think we should use that meeting instead to discuss what measures we can take to handle this crisis. I understand it is an informal meeting so we do not need a quorum.
Kind Regards
Linda
Councillor for Widmer End
Hughenden Parish Council”
