Parish council corruption

Question

Hi, my local parish council is in a bad state at the minute. There is allegations of conflict of interests, for example a councillor who owns a bar company, having his company used for our new community centre bar? Also at the recent parish council meeting and meeting of the trust that organised the centre have said they have lost the original business plan (there wasn’t a proper one made) and now they said a business plan would be made by June and it’s now mid July. There has been a 167% rise in the parish precept. Can we impeach them for not taking due diligence with the business plan or get them off the council and put someone on who will make a proper plan?

Answer 1

I logged on to research the same question. From reading your post I bet we are both talking about the same Parish Council in Lincolnshire. The Chairperson has to go. The sheer number of councillors that have resigned since 2015 is an absolute farce. But it is probably better to wait until the next election and get them all out by standing against them.

Comments

Hi - Did it get any better?

Answer 2

There are various things you can try, although they may not all be feasible. If there has been actual dishonesty for personal gain, that would most likely be a criminal offence, and you'd need to involve the police.

If the bad behaviour is less extreme, then you can report councillors to the Monitoring Office - usually the senior legal officer at the district council. But the worst he can do is name and shame, and it can take a while. You may be able to raise a complaint with the council's auditor, but you would need specific financial issues to report.

The most practical approach is most often publicity and putting up alternative candidates for election. Public pressure can bring about resignations, and if you don't trust the council over co-option, 10 electors can demand a poll (although the parish will have to pay for it, it may still be worthwhile if the situation is bad). Otherwise, periodic elections will come round, and you need to have people ready to stand.