“Whenever it’s required by law, we will consult”

Those were the words of Cllr Callear, Chair of Hadley & Leegomery Parish Council at the Emergency General Meeting tonight.

The meeting was called to discuss the results of the parish poll forced by a resident, Stuart Parr, who was unhappy about the decision to sell off the Cemetery Lodge.

The poll asked for the council to consult with residents before selling off property, something which it not legally required to do.

At the meeting, a full public gallery – unusual for a council meeting – had 15 minutes to ask questions and those minutes ran over – also unusual for a council meeting.

Questions about how much planning was put into the decision and why it was held behind closed doors at four separate meetings.

Cllr Callear (Chair): “The main issue with lodge was that it was tied to an employment issue. That’s why the decision was held behind closed doors.

“Whenever it’s required by law, we will consult.”

The revenue from the sale of the Lodge is not mentioned in the council budget. Cllr Callear answered that it’s not included because the council dont know how much it will go for, nor when the sale might take place.

Cllr Amrik Jhawar said, “We have authority and will consult if legally required. We can make a decision on behalf of the electorate…

Every penny spent is accounted for properly.”

Cllr Callear wrapped up the session with remarks about the poll turn-out, stating that almost 98% of the people who were eligible to vote, chose not to, and claimed that because they didn’t vote, they must have been content with the actions of the council.

After the meeting, Stuart Parr told Telford Live! “There was no reason to conflate the two issues. There is no compelling reason to progress the decision to sell a community owned asset alongside the employment issue. They are two distinct items.

“The council should have completed the employment issue and then been open and transparent with the decision to sell. That way, the minutes and reasons for the decision would be in the open for everyone to see.”

Nothing will change or was going to change as a result of the meeting beyond the poll outcome being noted.

Pic: Telford Live