News

Dear Editor,

Re: Another parish council tangled web I wonder?

On Tuesday morning Cllr Jean James asked if she could lodge a written vote for the election of officers as she would be unable to attend the meeting, this request was denied.

On the very same day and on the Wednesday requests were also made on this subject by Cllrs Punnett and Smith and again these request were denied.

Because of this the votes of Cllrs James and Brisley who was ill, could not be considered.

Cllr Punnett had applied for a paper ballot but did on my request withdraw that applcation when it was announced by the Chairman that the ballot paper had to be initialed by the councillor attending when voting. As it would not then be a secret vote I could not see any advantage to a paper vote and those of you who know me will know that I want everything out in the open and above board.

When it came to the election for Vice Chairman, Cllr James was both nominated and seconded for this position, to this I raised a point of order of how could a person be accepted for this position of office when she was absent from the meeting and yet she and Cllr Brisley could not vote by letter as requested.

The answer I was given by the Chairman was that Cllr James had told him that she agreed if nominated to be his Vice Chairman.

I for one cannot understand the difference of not being able to vote in absence, but able to accept in absence perhaps someone can enlighten me.

Cllr Tony Hutt
Hawkinge Parish Council