Copyright Focus Digital Limited All rights reserved. Here's what readers have had to say so far. Following the Local Government Act 1894 Handford Parish Council was established for the rural Handforth parish. Members of the public can witness the meeting by video conferencing. Those who thought the scenes in Handforth were unusual have obviously never been a local newspaper reporter. The chair is Brian Tolver and the vice-chair Aled Brewerton. Dear Parish Councillors, I am writing to you following a number of referrals and complaints received in respect of Handforth Parish Council. Great to see Handforth retains it's independence! (Jean Thompson, an Independent allied to Council Chairman Brian Tolver, was elected in 2019, This page was last edited on 16 March 2021, at 09:21. A parish council that became an internet sensation over a fiery Zoom argument has been dogged by more rows at its latest meeting. 0. If any individual member or resident believes Handforth Parish Council has acted erroneously they should seek independent legal advice on how to challenge Handforth Parish Councils notification to the Returning Officer. There were 5 spoilt ballots in the South Ward. Handforth parish council. 5th February 2021. Incumbent Councillors Cynthia Samson and John Smith were re-elected, unopposed. He had previously been elected in 2015 as an Independent, but stood in 2019 under the banner of "Handforth Ratepayers' Association". She is an independent councillor, representing Handforth West Ward, which she won with 451 votes. This is an extract from a formal Letter from the Director of Governance and Compliance at Cheshire District Council (text posted here):. Privacy Policy. [17], On Cheshire East Council, Burkhill is facing a vote of no confidence from Conservative councillor Liz Wardlaw for his "complicity in the bullying" of Jackie Weaver - coordinator of a council Zoom call meeting - and for bringing "this council and his role within this council into disrepute". It is your responsibility to keep your spending withi by Lisa Reeves. If any individual member or resident believes Handforth Parish Council has acted erroneously they should seek independent legal advice on how to challenge Handforth Parish Councils notification to the Returning Officer. In 1904 the rural district was abolished. Why not add your thoughts below. * Existing Parish Councillor prior to the election on May 2nd 2019. The three incumbent Councillors returned in 2015, Kerry Burgess ("Independent and Protect Greenbelt"), Matthew Clark (Independent) and Kerry Sullivan (an ally of Councillors Samson and Smith in the East Ward, under the "Improving Handforth" banner) all declined to re-contest their seats. A council by-election for the West Ward is currently pending, which will decide the future of the Council's leadership, as it is presently tied 3-3 between the two factions. If any individual member or resident believes Handforth Parish Council has acted erroneously they should seek independent legal advice on how to challenge Handforth Parish Councils notification to the Returning Officer. [2] A meeting of the council was highlighted by politics student Shaan Ali in 2021, "it's the parish councils who directly work with communities and it's so fascinating"[3] He found the video on YouTube and told a friend, Janine, who tweeted it. Andrew Backhouse, Independent - 239 votes, Barry Edward Burkhill, Handforth 'Ratepayers' Association (Independent)* - 316 votes, elected, Roger Clive Small, Independent - 228 votes, Brian Victor Tolver, Handforth 'Ratepayers' Association (Independent)* - 271 votes, elected, Aled Brewerton, Independent - 353 votes, elected, Chris Fortune, Liberal Democrat - 182 votes, Suzanne Elizabeth Moore, Independent - 451 votes, elected, Lee Robert Nelson, Independent - 263 votes, Jean Thompson, Independent - 369 votes, elected, Michael Thompson, Independent* - 294 votes. In the run up to the local elections on May 2nd I will be publishing brief interviews with each of the candidates - standing for seats on both the Parish Council and Cheshire East Council - that respond to my request, in the order in which they respond. At least it was at Handforth Parish Councils recent planning and environment committee meeting. CEC member Adrian Bradley, of Handforth Road, is standing for the Handforth ward. What is your view on whether Lib Dems (and other parties) should compete in Parish Council elections. Sunday 21 st April 2019. As Monitoring Officer in Cheshire East I have received a multiplicity of complaints and referrals. Handforth Parish Council - West Ward Election Results 2019. Article II: VACANCIES AND REMOVALS Section 1: Any member of the Council may resign by filing a written resignation with the pastor, with a copy to the chairperson. You should read the related guidance for Local elections in England and Wales: Part 3 Spending and donations for information on: 1. the spending limit 2. the regulated period 3. what is candidate spending 4. notional spending We provide a quick guide here about what is different when you are contesting parish or community level elections. Handforth Parish Council is the parish council for the civil parish of Handforth in Cheshire. Jane Brook, a former councillor, on the lack of sanctions against bullying and harassment in local government Last modified on Thu 18 Feb 2021 11.58 EST The recent Handforth parish council The return of a parish council which became an internet sensation was watched by thousands on Wednesday night and dogged by repeated interruptions by members of the public. Meeting co-ordinator Jackie Weaver shot to viral stardom last month due to footage of her booting Handforth Parish Council members who had lost their cool off of a Zoom call on December 10. In 1936 the council and urban district were abolished as part of a Local Government Act 1929 county review order and the former area was split between Cheadle and Gatley and Wilmslow. Burkhill joined Tolver in standing as a member of the "Handforth Ratepayers' Association". But there is a mandatory four year election cycle, though it's usually buried beneath other local elections etc taking place on the same day. The result are: Handforth East Ward ( two seats) - Uncontested. "[13], A letter from David Brown, Director of Governance and Compliance at Cheshire East Council, made references to councillors' behaviour in the past and alleged misconduct, including suggestions by unnamed councillors that elections should not be held:[14]. Handforth Parish Council Election 2019: Candidate Roger Small. Milwaukee Votes TODAY - Tuesday, Aug. 12th Partisan Primary Election Day Election Day Voting Hours: 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. Voter registration information Vacant. With all the interest in the antics of Handforth Parish Council and with Jackie Weaver now a household name, theres perhaps never been a better time to take a closer look at local democracy and how it works in Maldon. Handforth East Ward ( two seats) - Uncontested. Elected. This was then retweeted by thousands of accounts, including those of Piers Morgan, Richard Osman and Greg James, [3] leading to increased attention and the meeting going viral, becoming the subject of attention and comment. There were 37 spoilt ballots in the South Ward. It was part of the Stockport Rural District and in 1901 had a population of 794. Elections were held in 2019 when the following councillors were elected. However, after the election, both Aled Brewerton and Jean Thompson would side with the two "Handforth Ratepayers' Association" Councillors in South Ward, while Susan Moore would side with the two Independent Councillors in East Ward who had originally been elected under the "Improving Handforth" banner. The Returning Officer has received a declaration of vacant office from Handforth Parish Council and this has triggered a mandatory election process. The filing deadline for this election is July 16, 2021. There's a long history of low voter turnout for local elections up and down the country. Thirteen candidates stood for the seven seats on Handforth Parish Council. [1], The parish council was established again in May 2011 with the new civil parish formed from part of Wilmslow. Terms & Conditions. Description. Click here to learn more about the city's mayoral election. [3][4], Elections were held in 2019[5] when the following councillors were elected. The city of New Orleans, Louisiana, is holding general elections for mayor and city council on November 13, 2021.A primary is scheduled for October 9, 2021. At times, it felt like an absurdist British play. In 2017, residents complained about the conduct of parish councillors as they believed meetings were becoming unproductive. The return of a parish council which became an internet sensation was watched by thousands on Wednesday night and dogged by repeated interruptions by members of the public. Cynthia Margaret Samson, Independent* John Michael Smith, Independent* Handforth South Ward (two seats) Andrew Backhouse, Independent - 239 votes; Barry Edward Burkhill, Handforth 'Ratepayers' Association (Independent)* - 316 votes, elected; Roger Clive BREWERTON Aled. Handforth Parish Council, which rose to stardom earlier this month after a chaotic Zoom call on December 10 went viral, met again for the first time in two months on Wednesday evening. And the unhappiest committee of all the committees of Handforth Parish Council is the Planning and Environment Committee. In a Zoom meeting of the Handforth Parish Council Planning and Environment Committee on the 10th December 2020, two camps formed over a bureaucratic dispute. Incumbent Councillor Brian Tolver was re-elected, with a reduced majority. The most recent referrals relate to suggestions that some members of Handforth Parish Council have purported to take decisions that are plainly unlawful, and these decisions have resulted in expenditure of public funds. Jackie Weaver, Chief Officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils (ChALC), was brought into the meeting to moderate and provide guidance on the running of the council. I will divide this letter into three parts to separate the issues and prevent any conflating of behavioural and conduct issues with any substantive election point. St. Robert Parish Council Bylaws 2011 Section 4: For the youth representative, the same selection procedure shall be followed.Only eligible youth shall participate in this process. [12] The Independent described Handforth council meetings as "full of petty arguments about points of order and whether items had been agreed for the agenda with the battle of ideas entirely absent. Part 1 The three successfully-returned Councillors in 2019, Aled Brewerton, Susan Moore and Jean Thompson, were all elected as Independents. The Handforth civil parish became an urban district and the parish council became Handforth Urban District Council, absorbing powers that were previously the responsibility of Stockport Rural District Council. In my experience, what usually happens is one group or political party will have had control of a parish or town council for a long time until an election that suddenly changes things. Votes cast. He said: As a parish councillor, I will bring my wide experience in local government to the benefit of all. Ken Yau, of Dean Drive, said: I am seeking election so that I can use my career experience for all residents. These range from multiple complaints about councillors' behaviour; to fundamental issues of governance and member/officer engagement. At an employment committee meeting held on 4 November 2020, three councillors Brian Tolver, Aled Brewerton and Barry Burkhill tried to suspend the clerk Ashley Comiskey Dawson. Handforth Parish Council - South Ward Election Results 2019; Nominated Candidates Description Votes cast Elected; BACKHOUSE Andrew: Independent: 239 : BURKILL Barry Edward: Handforth 'Ratepayers' Association (Independent) 316: Yes: SMALL Roger Clive: Independent: 228 : TOLVER Brian Victor: Independent: 271: Yes He replaced incumbent Councillor Ian Clark, who did not re-contest the seat. \"A parish council is a civil local authority found in England and is the lowest, or first, tier of local government. There were 20 spoilt ballots in the West Ward. Hopefully more sensible villagers, seeing what a mess their parish council is, will stand at the next election and boot out the most officious uncooperative idiots. The Returning Officer has received a declaration of vacant office from Handforth Parish Council and this has triggered a mandatory election process. Councillor Thompson was then unseated in 2020, due to a failure to attend any council meetings for six months. All three Councillors for the heavily-contested West Ward were elected for the first time. Cheshire District Council. Its duties and role are to represent the local community, consult and advise on planning applications and to provide local amenities and activities such as Christmas lighting and grounds maintenance. Congratulations to all those who have been elected as councillors for Handforth - a parish (and also Ward) that long ago set the trend for being independent. Handforth Parish Council really is the gift that keeps on giving and after becoming a global internet sensation, its little wonder the repercussions are still spreading like ripples from a stone in a pond. They are elected corporate bodies, have variable tax raising powers, and are responsible for areas known as civil parishes, serving a total 16 million people.\" We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. Both had been elected in 2015 under the "Improving Handforth" banner, but were re-elected as Independents. Nominated Candidates. Handforth Parish Council, which rose to stardom earlier this month after a chaotic Zoom call on December 10 went viral, met again for the first time in two months on Wednesday evening. He was joined by long-serving Cheshire East Council member Barry Burkhill, who has represented Handforth on Cheshire East Council and its predecessor Macclesfield Borough Council since 1979. Outside of There were 44 spoilt ballots in the East Ward. [18], Cheshire East Council bullying and misconduct allegations Handforth Parish Council, Cheshire East Council bullying and misconduct allegations Handforth Parish Council, "Handforth parish council: A very English coup starring Jackie Weaver", "2019 Election Results: Handforth Parish Council - wilmslow.co.uk", "Council member claims he 'had reason to be angry' in viral Jackie Weaver clash", "Handforth residents slam behaviour of parish councillors", "The history of the Handforth parish council feud", "Handforth Parish Council warned over election blocking and misconduct claims", "Insults and expletives turn parish council Zoom meeting into internet sensation", "Updated: 'Handforth Parish Council are not fit for purpose, "Handforth Parish Council: No confidence vote after Zoom meeting", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Handforth_Parish_Council&oldid=1012424108, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Handforth Parish Council, The Youth Centre, Old Road, Handforth, SK9 3AB. The Returning Officer has received a declaration of vacant office from Handforth Parish Council and this has triggered a mandatory election process. Handforth Parish Council is not a happy parish council. Susan Moore was elected to Handforth Parish Council in 2019. I note that the Lib Dem candidate for Handforth West in 2019n came bottom of the poll behind six independents, including one of the apparent bad guys. Candidates standing for election in parish and community level elections whether the elections are contested or not. Sun 21 st Apr 2019. The council meeting was viewed by millions (Handforth Parish Council/PA) Asked for her thoughts on the no-confidence vote, Ms Weaver said: I cant help but have some empathy for somebody in that situation because it must be so difficult to experience the censure of so many of your colleagues. Please email the clerk on [email protected] no later than 11am on Wednesday 17th February Adopted by HPC on 19 th June 2019 2 Ordinary Council meetings A In an election year, the annual meeting of the Council shall be held on or within 14 days following the day on which the new councillors elected take office. B In a year which is not an election year, the annual meeting of the Council shall be held on such a day in May as the Council may direct. The chair is Brian Tolver and the vice-chair Aled Brewerton.[6]. Parish Councillors are summoned to attend a Meeting of Handforth Parish Council (HPC) on Wednesday 17th February 2021 at 7:30pm The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom meeting technology. Parish council elections were big business in those days, with virtually every seat on all of Tynedales 51 parishes contested, unlike the At that time, parish council meetings at Bellingham would start at 6-30pm, break for coffee at 9pm, and still be going strong at 11pm. The number of Councillors to be elected is three. Handforth Parish Council had another Zoom meeting, and it was even worse than the viral original By Rob Picheta , CNN Updated 9:41 AM ET, Thu February 18, 2021 Throughout the virtual planning and council meetings this evening (February 17), councillors battled tetchy disagreements and an unruly public gallery during their three-hour session. ANOTHER Handforth Parish Council meeting has descended into chaos this evening as chair Cllr Brian Tolver defended his actions during the viral clip. Thirteen candidates stood for the seven seats on Handforth Parish Council.