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AUTOCRACY OR DEMOCRACY? Unfortunately the above question has reared its ugly head in our community The chaos that mass resignation within our council caused back in October last year should by now have passed into history and a new vibrant council should be in place serving the community as needed. Unfortunately this is sadly not the case! Whilst a new council was being elected and “sworn in” as it were the remaining councillors had the burden of works thrust upon them under their elected chair Bruce Herriot. With a relatively “innocent” bevy of new councillors on board the burden of ensuring that the works of the council advance whilst educating and supporting new councillors in their inevitable learning curve becomes that much heavier. It is no wonder then that in an attempt to balance the ‘spinning plates’ that the views and education of councillors has slipped somewhat from the agenda in favour of what has become in effect an autocracy with one person making decisions and the councillors for whatever reason following. THIS IS NOT WHAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING IN OUR PARISH COUNCIL The Chairman who, we hope with the best intentions (and not any personal agenda) has slipped into the habit of making decisions on behalf of the PC. The Chairman has one job alone: TO CHAIR MEETINGS OF THE PARISH COUNCIL His opinions carry no more authority than any other councillor in decision making on the part of the council. All votes are equal. That is democracy. The Chair of the Parish Council must cease this ‘habit’, however well intentioned, immediately and get on with his job which does NOT include making unilateral decisions for council. So, Mr Herriot YOU must stop making or moulding the decisions on behalf of the OTHER councillors and ensure that they receive ALL of the information and facts they require to enable THEM to debate and decide on the decisions required for OUR community.
Question of Integrity Is it a breach of integrity for someone on the council who was involved in the legal matter of the leaving of the previous Parish Clerk to take up a position on the Employment working group especially, when they were deeply involved in the case? Integrity surely would make standing down until legal matters are completely resolved the only honourable option and in line with the required principles and expectations of someone on our Council: 1. Selflessness Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. 2. Integrity Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships. 3. Objectivity Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias. 4. Accountability Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this. 5. Openness Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing. 6. Honesty Holders of public office should be truthful. 7. Leadership Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs. COME ON COUNCILLORS TICK HOW MANY DO YOU UPHOLD? THE COMMUNITY EXPECT YOU TO SCORE 7/7 EVERY DAY YOU ARE ON THE COUNCIL
Page 1: editor@cradleyenquirer.com CradleyE
Page 5 and 6: LENGTHSMAN: A LOST CAUSE? Who has f
Page 7 and 8: CRADLEY VILLAGE HALL It is surprisi

issue 6

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