2 Bembridge parish councillors have been kicked out for not attending meetings — but one is ‘fighting back’ against the decision.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, legislation was changed to allow councils at all levels to hold remote or hybrid meetings to keep things in working order. This has seen most, if not all, parish and town councils on the Isle of Wight go online, holding Zoom calls open to the public.
However, it did not change the rule that councillors should attend a meeting at least once in a period of 6 months or cease to be a member of the authority.
In Bembridge, 2 councillor vacancies are now listed and will remain open until the local elections in May next year, as 2 councillors supposedly fell foul of the rule.
With meetings of the full Bembridge Parish Council held 6 months and 29 days apart, some councillors were at risk of losing their positions as they did not sit on any of the sub-committees which met over the lockdown period.
Following the full meeting in July, the last 2 Open Bembridge councillors, Mike Curtis and Alasdair Steane, are now no longer on the authority.
Community action group Open Bembridge clashed with other members over several years, mainly over proposed plans for 5/7 High Street in 2017.
Ex-Cllr Curtis did not attend meetings in January or July and made no apologies.
Former Cllr Steane attended the January meeting and gave apologies for the July meeting, which were only noted and not accepted.
Bembridge Parish Council has said it will not be commenting on individual cases, refusing to answer further questions about the situation, but did say all councillors ‘were made fully aware’ of the implications of the law and that ‘the proper officers made every attempt to keep all members within the organisation’.
The clerks of the council said legal advice and clarity was sought from the national and Hampshire-branch of the Association of Local Councils and ‘it was made clear’ the 6-month rule remained relevant.
Other parish and town councils on the Island had agreed to make an exception during the lockdown to avoid councillors being disqualified.
The day after the July meeting, Mr Steane was told he was no longer a councillor as his apologies were not accepted, as required by the wording of the law, leading him to question why his apology was not accepted. He said:
“This is yet another nasty and vindictive action by the parish council, and is totally unwarranted. It is appalling and designed purely to remove opposition voices from their elected roles.
“I have always participated fully on behalf of the community despite constant abuse and provocation.
“I will be back and continue to fight the anti-democratic behaviours of this awful council.”
more over paid for not doing much like most councillors sack them
One assumed that as the old Council chamber has now been sold, and as the elderly Cllr. fish monger tenant had kindly been give a lease, thus securing his future prior to the sale, despite that generous, charitable act likely resulting in gaining a lower than otherwise price for that property, that all was now well within this volatile town council.
The village is so beautiful and we have lived here for years now, so please can the councillors find some common ground to work for us, precept payers, rather than this seemingly long winded tit-for-tat point scoring mission?
Mr Starmer ‘upset’ because his apology was not accepted!
Perhaps he should have attended (even remotely) a meeting then!!!
stop whining and accept that you did not abide by the accepted rules…
Whereas i agree with your sentiment i think we should reserve judgement as such time that Mr Steane decides to make his excuse public. Bembridge Council are currently refusing to provide further details or answer questions which itself is unhelpful (or suspicious). I don’t know either of the people involved but there has obviously been a lot of political in-fighting and for all we know this could have been a targeted action to oust. It’s worse than a kids creche. They should all grow up.
I feel you are a little harsh on these two councillors. I don’t personally know either councillor yet Mr Styene’s family have been involved with Bembridge for a very long time, and his Mother, Mary was a wonderful lady according to my Grandparents.
I can’t imagine then, that he can be that much different.
As the older generation are not always well versed with new technology perhaps these two gentlemen were unable to ‘zoom.’
Whilst the younger, trendy members of the council may be far more au fait with such means of conferencing, these two senior individuals may have felt ill at ease in doing so themselves.
The fish monger councillor has always had a juicy Cod’s head. My dear Grandmothers cat has always enjoyed many a fine treat from this thriving shop.
Nothing ‘harsh’ about it.. they know the rules and need to abide by them. they are quick enough to set out ‘rules to the people of the parish ! ..and no, You can’t use the excuse ” the older generation are not always versed with new technology ” ! If they are that dumb , and can’t figure out a simple computer chat – they don’t deserve to be in their position. and wasn’t Mr. Steane caught driving with no tax/insurance some time ago if I remember correctly..a lame excuse was given for that as well !
“Fight against the anti-democratic council”
DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO
(Since you know remember that time that one councillor whose name evades me got caught shopping for trousers on his phone during a meeting? wouldn’t that get anyone in a regular job in trouble??)
Did they steal a tin of biscuits?
There was also a certain councillor (GS) who resigned his post which was accepted but lo and behold he withdrew it the following day. The powers that be wrongly said as it was by email it wasn’t legal and wouldn’t accept it.