Interference from a councillor.

Question

Good Morning.

In our village we have nothing for the older generation, as a Parish Councillor I started up a monthly lunch club, the PC paid a subsidy towards it. I looked at obtaining grants and for most of them you were not eligable as a PC. I was advise by the county council to start up a new group. This I have done and we now run and organise the monthly lunch under the banner of The Community Group. (stated in eptember minutes) It has been very sucessful to the point now that everyone in the village has nothing but praise.  I have obtained many grants and we are now making a big difference to our older villagers. The PC cut the subsidy in half  (now £2.50 pp) but our community group makes it up. I am chair of the new group but I still remain a PC. One of the women is a nasty piece of work and a few months ago she asked me to look at changing the venue of the monthly get together. The venue is in the Parish and very near to where everyone lives. After asking the rest of the group the majority did not want the venue changed for various reason the main its close to where we all live.  I found out on Friday that this woman as gone behind my back and asked another councillor to put it on the agenda for the next PC meeting this Tuesday. I have e-mailed the councillor, the clerk & the chairman stating my annoyance etc. I have not yet received the agenda for the meeting. Can the PC interfere with the running of the new community group (its a group within its own right) as it was started by me as a pc. No one has ever done anything for the older genration and they have lived in the village for years. I have lived here 3 years. It has been said that there is a lot of jealousy also that I should stand for Chair of the PC.

Many thanks

Answer 1

The short answer is no, the PC cannot dictate to the Community Group.  The most it can do (and then only if a majority of councillors agree) is to make a request.  The PC can, of course, decide to withdraw its grant, although it would appear perverse for it to do so in this case.

The Community Group needs to avoid being controlled by the PC if it is to remain eligible for grants from most sources.  This requirement for separation can be frustrating, but it does exist.  That might be a factor in your decision to seek to become PC Chair.

Only you can decide whether to stand.  It can be better for someone who is very active to avoid being Chair, as ideally the Chair should avoid pushing their views too strongly.  But it does depend on what candidates are available and what you think will be best for the parish.