Can a motion be rescinded within six months?

Question

In July our parish council passed a motion to set up a website committee, the chairman decided that  after only four months he wanted to change the structure title to a working party and instead of being a fomal committee to make it informal and ad hoc.

 

Even though the parish councils Standing orders state that any decision taken by council can only be rescinded within six months by a motion containing the signatures of four councillors, which it didn't, only the chairmans.

 

Has the chaiman and the clerk acted unlawfully and should the decision be challenged and overturned?

Answer 1

It would seem that neither have authority to do it.

The six month rule can prevent items been revisited at the request of members who were not in favour of the initial decision. However, if there is general consensus that a decision should be looked at again (perhaps in light of a change in circumstances or knowledge of new material facts etc.) this can be done by passing a resolution to set aside the relevent standing order or in your case the protocol you have got in your standing orders.