Author: David Lacey

Wellington NPT Newsletter Sep-Oct 2021

WEST BUCKLAND PARISH COUNCIL (YOUR PARISH COUNCIL) HAS A VACANCY

Could you provide a voice for people living in this community?

Would you like to have a say about the local issues people care about?

Decide how money is spent to improve the community

Help to secure funding to improve facilities

APPLY TO BE CO-OPTED using the application form

Eligibility of candidates – West Buckland Parish Council can consider any person to fill a vacancy provided that:

They are an elector for the parish; or

They have resided in the parish for the past twelve months or rented/tenanted land in the parish; or

Their principal place of work is in the parish; or

 They live within three miles (direct) of the parish.

A candidate will be deemed disqualified for election/co-option, under the terms of the Local Government Act 1972, of which the main criteria are:

 Holding a paid office under the local authority;

Bankruptcy;

Having been sentenced to a term of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) of not less than three months, without the option of a fine during the five years preceding the election; and

Being disqualified under any enactment relating to corrupt or illegal practices.

Candidates will be required to:

Complete an application form available from the Clerk, website or Parish Council Facebook page;

Confirm their eligibility whilst confirming they are not disqualified from holding the position of Parish Councillor.

Eligible candidates will be invited to a Parish Council meeting. The co-option process will take place in public without intervention from the public.

A documented interview will be used to determine the successful candidates. If there is only one candidate there a documented interview will still take place. Questions will be agreed before the interview and each candidate will be asked the same questions.

All application forms will be treated by the Clerk and all parish councillors as strictly private and confidential and in accordance with the Council’s 

A vote by ballot, or a poll in the case of a virtual meeting, will decide who will be co-opted. An absolute majority vote is required for each candidate from all members present and entitled to vote (LGA 1972 ch. 12. Para 39) (The applicant with the least number of votes casted will be deleted and the vote taken again and again etc. until the number of candidates equals the number of vacancies);

Where there is only one applicant there will be a vote by ballot, or a poll in the case of a virtual meeting, to decide whether they should be co-opted.

Candidates will be furnished with a full agenda of the meeting at which they are to be considered for selection, plus a copy of the members’ code of conduct, acceptance of office form, Members’ Register of Interests form and standing orders of the council. The successful candidates will immediately sign their declaration of acceptance of office and can then act as councillors. They are to be reminded that their entry to the Members’ Register of Interests must be filled in within 28 days and a copy passed on to the monitoring officer.

The date of the Parish Council meeting is Tuesday 26th October 2021 in the Committee Room, West Buckland Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Agenda 26th October 2021      Draft Minutes 28th September 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cllrs Charles Silverlight and John Nutt have been out painting another fingerprint sign. Here are the before and after photos. What an improvement.

Cllr Margaret Blogg has retired from West Buckland Parish Council after 21 years in the chair. Her final duty was to take the chair at the start of the Annual Parish Council meeting on the 25^th May to call for nominations for her successor.

Margaret had planned to stand down in May 2020 but stayed to chair the Council through an unprecedented period when meetings were held virtually as a result of Covid regulations. This was the first time councillors had met in person since February 2020 and Cllr David Lacey, Vice-chair, was able to take the opportunity to present her with a farewell gift from her fellow councillors and the clerk.

Councillors elected Charles Silverlight as their new chairman.

Cllr David Lacey presenting Mrs Blogg with her gift.

During  this time of the Covid-19 outbreak many of us are facing the loss of someone we love often in difficult circumstances.  Somerset Public Health, MIND in Somerset, and Marie Curie have joined together to offer free bereavement and emotional support to everyone who has been bereaved during the pandemic for whatever reason.

For more details  Somerset Bereavement Support Service

Avon and Somerset Police have produced some advice about ransomware, phishing, working from home and online fraud. These are the most prevalent attacks that the UK police forces are seeing right now due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

 The documents include a quick reference guide, a presentation and a written information document, which are meant to be read together side by side, but the written document can be read separately.

 Please pass on these documents and distribute it throughout your contacts in order to remain safe and secure during this Crisis. Threat actors are increasingly targeting individuals, businesses and organisations and using the pandemic as a manipulation tool to install malware and steal personal information. The attached documents will advise the reader of the current threats and how to create a stronghold for themselves while working from home or using the internet for personal reasons.

COVID19 Advice doc

COVID19 Adivce presentation

COVID19 Quick Tips

We are still looking for volunteers for the Community Speedwatch Group in West Buckland. If you are interested in joining please see the details on  the Community Speedwatch page of this website.