Hobby horse actions

Question

We have a very small council on which the louder members get their way.
At the last meeting, one councillor, whose hobby horse this is, proposed erecting a flagpole in the centre of the village (at a cost of approx £800) - there was no discussion and it was simply nodded through for him by the other, quiescent members.
Yet, another flagpole stands just 100 yards away.  There is also a list of outstanding & important projects on the council's list, some of which go back ten years... all of which are being bumped aside for this. Any protest from the public is treated dismissively.
Clearly, no rules are being broken, but it is galling to see this high-handed behaviour. Does anyone have any advice on how to respond to this?
(PS  I am not a councillor. Also, I personally am neither for or against the flagpole, though some of the bumped projects I would like to see enabled).

Answer 1

Get enough local people to stand at the next election, if you can't change the mindset of the council - change the council

Comments

This is a typical example of what is going on every day in many Councils.  But it can only be tolerated  if the other Councillors allow it to happen.    The sad things is that many Councillors are just not up for the fight preferring to vote yes  to anything rather than challenge a system they don't understand .  That's why they cant recruit enough Councillors.  There are few Councillors on here who do make a stand but I can tell you that you can be treated as some sort of pariah.   You need to understand the system and have a very thick skin before "going into the ring".   When in there it can be a very lonely place.  White night is right the only answer is to change the Councillors.  In the meantime you can only fight according to the rules

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I have a very thick skin as I’ve been falsely reported to the Police and the ICO, threatened with legal action several times, had critical legal  advice withheld from Councillors, minutes which stated I’d said the total opposite of what I’ve said and £1000’s of public money has been squandered but there is light at the end of the tunnel

Answer 2

I can certainly relate to all the comments here and I would like to encourage you Mark S to change your council. I have been the pariah mentioned by Prestonfan, but was just to stubborn to throw in towel. A few even minded councillor were co-opted gradually and with the minor changes came a wave of new councillors last year. The 'new wave' can now outvote any petty issues and the PC is now moving forwards on so many positive issues. Become a councillor, read the Standing Orders, Financial rules and begin applying them, people will notice and the change will, eventually happen. Good luck!!