That ‘A’
Word!
A council
must do what the law requires it to do**.
A council
may do only what the law says it may do.
A council cannot do anything unless
permitted by legislation.
The law
gives local councils choice in activities to undertake; but surprisingly
there are
very few duties,
or activities that they must carry out
in delivering
services to local people. Exceptions are that a council MUST:
consider the provision of Allotments if there is demand for
them from
local
residents and it is reasonable to do so.
Chairman of the Council Jan Strelcnenie told
a resident at a recent Council Public Forum that Allotments are outside the
remit of the Parish Council. The Clerk
to the Council Julie Leighton-Eshelby did not correct him, so Councillors and
the Public were left with false information.
How
can the highly unsatisfactory Council gauge demand from residents if
false information is allowed to rule the roost?
It seems that only one Councillor cares to prompt for the truth. No wonder he is bullied. Maybe that is why other Councillors seem disinterested or simply keep their mouths shut, for months at a time.
Sources
* Visiting North Yorkshire County Councillor
** The good councillor’s guide
