Can you remove co-opted members?

Question

Our local Parish Council is composed entirely of co-opted members, who have consistently co-opted their drinking buddies onto the council. When three vacancies arose, and three candidates applied, they tried to block one of the candidates as they "did not like the person".
Parishioners believe that this is cronyism, and a clear abuse of power.

The Parish Clerk insisted that they could not block the appointment, and they have accused him of "railroading" them, and have now started a campaign of harassment and bullying.

Answer 1

The devil is in the detail and you may have inadvertently mixed up terminology.
The current members cannot block any qualified person from APPLYING for cooption but the existing members CAN “block” an applicant from being co-opted
There has been much active discussion on this point previously but the fact is, for a candidate to be co-opted they must receive a majority vote  if they don’t get a majority vote they ain’t co-opted and it really is that simple
No individual Cllr can be compelled to vote other than as they see fit so it is the case that, even where there are more vacancies than candidates, it is not fait accompli that any candidate will be successful
Your clerk would be correct - all eligible candidates must be presented, but unless existing members vote them into cooption theym ain’t getting in
The solution - the electorate gather a viable alternative at the next election and launch a campaign to oust long standing, returned uncontested previous Cllrs
This is a problem which has arisen as a consequence of voter apathy  I’m afraid

Comments

I thought an election could be called if a number of electors write in to the returning officer with in 14 days

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That is correct. The vacancy must be announced with a public notice, and citizens then have 14 days to ask for a poll. There must be requests from at least 10 electors, not necessarily acting together. The principal authority must then arrange a poll. There is a snag - the parish can be charged for the cost of running the poll. Only after the 14 days have elapsed is the council expected to co-opt. Co-option is very much a second best to election, but unfortunately cost can't always be ignored. If there are pressing issues, and it isn't too late, then electors should demand a poll and hang the cost.

Answer 2

If people in your parish feel they want to do something to stop this, then as and when a vacancy occurs, get 10 or more electorate to write in and request an election.

However, you will need people who want to stand. If there is one vacancy, and only one person stands they will be elected by default, if two people stand then the game is a foot.  That way, if one 'crony' is put forward by the drinking club and one non-crony stands, then you (the electorate) have the option to stop it.

Then repeat for each vacancy that comes up.....no councillor can block a legally elected councillor!

Comments

I agree but based on my experience the elected Councillor will be on their own in my case the Chair didn’t speak to me for a year
If you can get enough people a mass replacement of Councillors at election time is preferable