TWO Minehead town councillors have reacted angrily to a letter from mayor Cllr Jean Parbrook which said that councillors should visit the town hall by appointment only.
Her letter to all members states: “If any councillor refuses to leave the town hall when requested, or insists upon removing documents when permission has been refused, the police will be called.”
In a letter of response, former Minehead mayor and current county and district councillor Terry Venner said: “In all my 17 years on the town council, six years as a district councillor and four years as a county councillor, it has always been recognised that councillors can visit the authority’s offices without the need for any prior appointments.”
And Cllr John Malin said: “The threat to call the police is at best laughable and at worst a slur on councillors.”
In her letter, Cllr Parbrook asked for councillors’ co-operation to help administrative staff with an increased workload that devolution would bring.
Cllr Venner replied: “There are more staff at the town hall now than there have ever been, and surely that should facilitate easier access.”
When Cllr Malin tried to raise the matter during the mayor’s announcements at Tuesday’s town council meeting, he was ruled out of order by Cllr Parbrook.
After the meeting, he told the Free Press he believed Cllr Parbrook’s letter “positively discouraged members from exercercising their legal right and duty to look at documents for which they had a responsibility to electors”.
Cllr Malin said a major change of policy, such as restricting members’ access to information, should have first been discussed by the council in a public forum.
He quoted the council’s standing orders which stipulate that councillors, for the purpose of their official duties, can inspect any council documents and request a copy.
“I am afraid this is yet another example of this council ignoring its own standing orders and issuing decrees,” he said.
“I think Minehead Town Council needs to have a serious look at the direction in which it is heading.”
In her letter, Cllr Parbrook wrote: “Please can you only visit the town hall if you are attending a scheduled meeting or have a confirmed appointment. Please do not turn up just because you have emailed your intention to do so.
“It is courteous to await confirmation that the time and date is convenient with the staff.
“Obviously the reason for the visit should be made clear beforehand and if any documents are required they must be listed.
“Councillors may be refused permission to copy or remove documents from the Town Hall, depending on the sensitivity and legal status of the documents.
“I know the majority of councillors would never behave in a discourteous manner towards our staff and I apologise that the behaviour of the minority has required me to write to you all.”
In his reply to the mayor, Cllr Venner said: “At all times when I have visited the town hall I have been courteous and polite in my dealings with the staff and I object to any suggestion that I may have acted otherwise.
Cllr Parbrook told the Free Press: “I simply made a polite request that councillors make appointments so that the council office can work efficiently in view of increasing workloads.
“A lot of time is wasted chatting and I just wanted to cut down the time spent on unimportant matters.
“The majority of councillors completely understand the reasoning behind the letter.”