Does a parish clerk have the power to tell a councillor not to attend a working group with a third party? [closed]

Question

One of our tenants, a football club, requested a meeting. I asked to meet this tenant together with two other open space committee members. The parish clerk tells me to respect her authority and not attend this meeting. Does she have the power to direct councillors in this way?

Answer 1

No.

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Post script:  a clerk provides "advice" not directives.  Cllrs are required by the Code of Conduct to "consider" the advice of the proper officer, they are not required to abide by it and there certainly isn't any "authority" by a clerk over a Cllr......

Comments

Hear hear!!!

Answer 2

Surely you have to abide by what your council has decided, if meetings are arranged I would expect council to agree who would meet with the football group, or a committee would agree if they have been given delegated power, if neither committee or council have formally agreed you can attend a meeting the I would suggest you can’t represent the council

Comments

Three of us said we would go to meet the football club representative but the parish clerk clearly didn’t take it in.

Answer 3

The clerk does not have the power to tell a councillor not to attend a working group but they may possess he forethought to advise a councillor that they have no power to act unless authorised to do so by the council.  You should be able to point to a council minute that clarifies this.