Councillor Britcliffe Called off the AGM

[claytonender]

Originally Posted by cashman

So in laymans,the likely outcome is ya can do sod all about it? and he probably is well aware of that?

Got it in one.

[accyman]

only thing to do then is pee on his parade and turn up one way or another

[cashman]

question from the ignorant, is it possible fer those who cannot attend to give a written proxy vote?

[Tealeaf]

Originally Posted by claytonender

The Leader has put pressure on council officials to change the meeting to the date and time he wanted. The latest date that the AGM of the Council had to be held (as per the constitution of HBC, which state that the AGM must be held no later than 21 days after the election) was Thursday 27 May.

......If officers have acted outside the constitution the facts can be reported to the Monitoring Officer, who has a duty under Section 5A of the 1989 Local Government and Housing Act to investigate contraventions of the council's rules and codes of practice. However, no matter how blatant the contravention is, there is no guarantee that the Monitoring Officer will find that there has been any wrongdoing.

Could you possibly say exactly what pressure was applied by Britcliffe on to the council officials? I don't think he has the power to give 'em P45's, so it would be interesting to know what he did in order to get this meeting rearranged to the time and date.

Other than that, how much will it cost the ratepayers of Hyndburn for this nonsense?

[Bernard Dawson]

Originally Posted by accyman

only thing to do then is pee on his parade and turn up one way or another

For some Councillors who work it's not always possible to get time of work to attend the meeting.

As Claytonender pointed out, full Council meetings have always been held in the evening. An evening meeting did mean that Councillors who work during the day would have good chance to attend the meeting.

[cashman]

Don't think ya would need a great deal of pressure T, if ya don't consult the opposition about the date.

[Bernard Dawson]

Originally Posted by cashman

question from the ignorant, is it possible fer those who cannot attend to give a written proxy vote?

No I'm afraid not.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by Bernard Dawson

No I'm afraid not.

thought as much, but had to ask.

[Tealeaf]

Originally Posted by cashman

Don't think ya would need a great deal of pressure T, if ya don't consult the opposition about the date.

I can see a case - just - for deferring the AGM, in the circumstances. What I can't see is the case for the timing. Has there been any precident for an afternoon AGM since 1974? If so, why? If not, then surely it is the job of the local officials to fully ensure that local government protocols are adhered to.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

I can see a case - just - for deferring the AGM, in the circumstances. What I can't see is the case for the timing. Has there been any precident for an afternoon AGM since 1974? If so, why? If not, then surely it is the job of the local officials to fully ensure that local government protocols are adhered to.

Whomever the Monitering Officer is "Local" or not? have no idea,but seems to me like the M.O. is in somebodys back pocket.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Bernard Dawson

For some Councillors who work it's not always possible to get time of work to attend the meeting.

As Claytonender pointed out, full Council meetings have always been held in the evening. An evening meeting did mean that Councillors who work during the day would have good chance to attend the meeting.

In theory, would it be possible for all council meetings to be held in the evenings?

It really must limit the type of councillors we have, because it must be impossible for many people to take time off here and there, if they're in full time employment.

[g jones]

Originally Posted by Jim Procter

As someone who knows nowt about Accrington politics--If Councillor Britcliffe is so unpopular how come he keeps being re-elected?

Hi Jim. (are you former HCA Chair I did jury service with?)

Just to answer in part the question, how does he get back in?

The share of vote over the last few years has been 48-52 varying to 52-48 the other way. That usually produces 8 Tory wins and 4 Labour wins. This unfairness goes back to the boundary changes back in 2001 when Labour let Peter redraw the boundaries to his liking.

In fact Labour has won the popular vote the last 2 years and that is with Tories having the advantage of 3 of their seats having an extra councillor (so an extra election when Tories get to vote more often than Labour artificially skewing the popular vote).

This year Labour polled 42%, Conservative's 39%, Independent 17%. (presume 2% spoilt). If Labour had stood a candidate in Overton (ill health) and got 1200 votes as expected it would have been Labour 46%, Tory 38%, Independent 13%.

It is the reverse situation of the national boundaries and voting. Interesting Mr Clegg and Mr Cameron are arguing this needs correcting. Would they apply this thinking to Hyndburn one wonders?

[g jones]

Originally Posted by Jim Procter

As someone who knows nowt about Accrington politics--If Councillor Britcliffe is so unpopular how come he keeps being re-elected?

Hi Jim.

The share of vote (LAB-TORY) over the last few years has been 48-52 varying to 52-48 the other way. That usually produces 8 Tory wins and 4 Labour wins. This unfairness goes back to the boundary changes back in 2001 when Labour let Peter redraw the boundaries to his liking.

In fact Labour has won the popular vote the last 2 years and that is with Tories having the advantage of 3 of their seats having an extra councillor (so an extra election when Tories get to vote more often than Labour artificially skewing the popular vote).

This year Labour polled 42%, Conservative's 39%, Independent 17%. (presume 2% spoilt). If Labour had stood a candidate in Overton (ill health) and got 1200 votes as expected it would have been Labour 46%, Tory 38%, Independent 13%.

It is the reverse situation of the national boundaries and voting. Interestingy Mr Clegg and Mr Cameron are arguing this needs correcting. Would they apply this thinking to Hyndburn one wonders?

[LYNX1]

Originally Posted by Bernard Dawson

I would like to think not.What I can tell you also is that I can't recall a leader of either the Tory Party or the Labour Party doing this in the past.

Of course meetings get changed from time to time. But in my experience there's every effort made to set the time and date that's convenient to most Councillors.

I'm sure you'd appreciate, that if you ask the leader of the Council,he would deny everything I'm saying.

I'm shocked Bernard, to even suggest such a thing about PB is shocking.....but true.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Bernard Dawson

The point about the changing of the date of the Council Meeting is that the leader of the Councillor is attempting to make it as difficult as possible for some members of the Labour Group to get there. That is some members of the Council actually have to go to work. Others have child caring responsibilities. And he knows that

Council meetings should be held at a time when it's convenient for most members to attend. And not when it suits the political machinations of the leader of the Council

Exactly what you would do if you were in the same position and you know it is, so don't even think of denying it