There should be 9 Shiptonthorpe Parish Councillors. Last night, only Cllr’s Gough, Edward Bowron and Richard Waring turned up for the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shiptonthorpe Parish Council following the recent resignations.
If there had been fewer than three councillors, the meeting would not have been able to proceed but three is the minimum required for a quorum.
Cllr Neil Scott was away on business so could not attend but it was announced that Cllr Tim Bowron had also resigned as a Parish Councillor. He joined councillors Ducker, Powell, Lambert and Smith who also resigned over the past two weeks. Plus of course the clerk.
Given that Cllr Tim Bowron co signed the agenda for the meeting it would seem that he resigned very recently.
After paying tribute to those who had resigned Cllr David Gough invited nominations for temporary chair and was immediately proposed by Cllr Ted Bowron and seconded by Cllr Richard Waring. Cllr Gough returned the favour by nominating Cllr Bowron as vice chair who was seconded by Cllr Waring.
Approximately 20 members of the public were present but when they were invited to speak no one decided to raise their hand which must mean that local residents fully support recent developments.
When the public part of the meeting had finished several members of the public expressed surprise that they would not be allowed to stay for the discussion about the Shiptonthorpe Parish Charity. Cllr Gough explained that under Sections 139 of the Local Government Act, trustee meetings are by default closed to the public.
The illustration highlights the rather sad state of affairs with just three councillors present after five of their colleagues decided to resign rather than support the polices and direction supported by the final four.
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