Chairman’s Introduction to Parish Council Meeting 21 Jan 25

You may have heard rumours or seen social media spreading inaccurate conjecture regarding the disqualification of two councillors, Nancy Rowson and Paul Rowson, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972.

The Council was challenged by members of the public regarding the non-attendance of Councillors Nancy and Paul Rowson over a 6 month period. The council meetings during this period were rearranged, and on one occasion, apologies were received from the councillors. The Clerk rebuffed the challenge as the councillors’ non-attendance was largely outside of their control. Further escalation of the issue required the matter to be referred to the Monitoring Officer at Cumberland Council and subsequently we were referred to seek independent legal advice.

It has been confirmed that both councillors are disqualified. It is regrettable that the councillors were unable to attend meetings, but the law is inflexible and leaves no room for discretion. It has been confirmed that their seats are vacant but there is no reason why they cannot apply for co-option back onto the Council once the waiting period has expired.

I wish to make it very clear that this is not a matter that the Council or any of us has chosen to pursue not least because there are ongoing matters with the Monitoring Officer which the public would be best served by having the Rowsons as councillors so that matters can be concluded.

It is fair to comment that the unexpected and unwelcome developments have caused a period of significant turmoil for the Council which has caused important business to be deferred while we took steps to ensure that the council operates lawfully. The meeting of 30^th December was cancelled as an inject from the Monitoring Officer’s team was received within an hour of the meeting and I was the only councillor who had seen it so it was unsafe for the meeting to proceed.

We now need to get on with that business, not least to agree our budget and precept for this year.

I remind you that public participation will consider only those matters which are on the agenda for decision and ask everyone to allow this meeting and fulsome agenda to proceed without interruption.