An Isle of Wight parish council plagued with infighting has decided not to go ahead with mediation – but instead will have some training.
Shalfleet Parish Council (SPC) agreed to fund £165 worth of training by the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC) instead of IWALC and National Association of Local Councils (NALC) mediation at an unruly Extraordinary Meeting at the Wellow Literary Institute earlier this week (Tuesday 18th February).
The meeting’s agenda mentioned a resolution ‘that SPC request mediation by IWALC/NALC’ and ‘support this with up to £1,000 from parish council funds’.
It also stated:
“To confirm by resolution a request be made to IWALC for all councillors to be given training by experienced trainers.
“To agree payment for training for all councillors– costs eleven modules £27.50 per person. Total cost £165.”
SPC chair councillor Steve Cowley said himself and his son and vice-chair, councillor Thomas Cowley, were trying to break a “logjam”.
Referring to mediation, a parishioner attending the meeting said:
“In May, hopefully we’ll get a new set of councillors up there. So, you’re going to spend all this money just for 2 meetings?”
The Island’s town, parish and community council elections are due to go ahead on 1st May.
Councillor Thomas Cowley said the member of the public’s point was “entirely valid” and that voting for mediation would not be worth the money “at this point”. He added however that councillors going on training would be “excellent”.
What a complete waste of money, once a Numpty
always a Numpty.