Should an outside group be represented on a parish council

Question

We have a few independent groups in our parish, one was for defibrillators which we have now taken on but another group who call themselves carbon busters want a representative on the parish council and want the parish council to be more involved in their cause.

Previously we have been against this, not that we are anti saving the planet but at the time we just felt it was not the PC job to tell parishioners what to do, we do now have a councillor who is on that group and is suggesting more involvement with them.

Parish Councils are the lowest form of local government and I feel it is not up to us, we can support them but having them on the PC with their cause, just somehow I don’t think is right but I’d like to hear anyone’s views on this, thanks

Answer 1

Whilst a PC is expected to represent and facilitate the needs and wishes of the community it is not per se a collection of invited pressure groups within that community. That is not to say that pressure groups should not lobby the PC on matters. That is after all democracy and it must be noted that allowing pressure groups to dictate PC policy to the detriment of the community is to be avoided at all costs

Comments

...so make sure you have sufficient candidates at the next cyclical election, otherwise your carbon busters could take over the Council.

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Maybe the group needs to have sight of the code of conduct and be reminded in particular of the requirements for declaration of interests which can include exclusion from the decision making processes.  Far better for the group to encourage the pc to adopt their policies etc. rather than trying to force the issue from the inside.