Concerns of how Parish / Town Council is 'run'

Question

The Parish / Town Council should be 'run' jointly by all Councillors yet there are a few Councillors who have 'control'. Standing orders and directions from the Clerk are increasingly allowing them to tighten the grip and to exclude other Councillors who express concerns. The whole situation is escalating and worrying . Parish / Town Councils seems to govern themselves but who really is responsible to listen jointly to concerns from Councillors  and Parishioners who want to see the Council run transparently and democratically.

Answer 1

I agree entirely with your starting point. What's more, the council should reflect the interests of the citizens of the parish.

The clerk has an important role and can be a tremendous help to the council, but should follow policies laid down by the council.

There is no easy way to ensure that these things happen as they should. In the end, it will depend on there being sufficient interested citizens willing to stand as councillors, to argue principles, to seek publicity and eventually to get elected so as to bring about change by majority vote.