A councillor ‘named and shamed’ four colleagues whose failure to attend a council meeting led to it being declared inquorate and therefore could not go ahead. Cllr Roy Gerstner, an independent member of Whittlesey Town Council, said: “Those not attending and NOT giving any apologies is most disrespectful.
“It has happened on more than one occasion – by the same councillors.”
Cllr Gerstner named the four missing councillors as Haq Nawaz, Saeed Aarman, Diana Dickinson (deputy mayor) and Gurninder Singh-Gill.
(Cllr Dickinson lives in Peterborough and Cllr Saeed Aarman also lives in Peterborough)
A fifth councillor, Peter Bibb, immobile after an operation, sent his apologies.
Cllr Gerstner, who represents Whittlesey South, offered his comments on his popular blog: he headed his views ‘Oh Dear- Respect or No Respect That is the Question?’
He said that when Mayor Cllr Alex Miscandlon gave an introduction to his chairmanship of Whittlesey Town Council last year “he placed great emphasis on being ‘respectful’.
“We all miss meetings due to various circumstances but should always inform the clerk/chairman of our absence.”
Cllr Barry Wainwright, independent for Coates & Eastrea Ward, was equally scathing of the missing councillors.
“Well, that was embarrassing…,” he posted to Facebook today.
“At last night’s meeting of Whittlesey Town Council planning committee, only two members of the committee could be bothered to turn up
“One other member sent their apologies as they were immobile following an operation.
“The remaining four members apparently couldn’t be bothered to turn up or even send apologies!”
He wrote: “The meeting had to be abandoned as a minimum of three members are required to be present for any business to be conducted.
“To say it was embarrassing to sit there, in front of the public who did attend, waiting to see if anyone else would turn up, is an understatement of gargantuan proportions!
“These people were elected by you, to represent you and work for you!”
Cllr Dee Laws hit back today, claiming “three councillors submitted apologies, two on valid health reasons.
“One as the meeting time had been brought forward owing to the location of their work commitments yesterday and given travelling time wouldn’t be able to make a meeting in Whittlesey”.
She added: “The clerk has been signed off sick for this week and prior Whittlesey Town Council offices were closed for the festive break, therefore probably not all communications have been captured.
“My understanding is leader of Whittlesey Town Council Town Council with the chairman of the planning committee the matter is being addressed.”
Since the meeting did not take place, the town council is unable to offer views on various planning applications affecting Whittlesey and being considered by Fenland District Council. The town consultee view is always taken into account by the district council.
Plans due to have been considered last night (Monday) include:
1: An agricultural building for fertile egg production and the formation of associated hardstanding and attenuation pond at Land North Of 209 Benwick Road Whittlesey
2: An ancillary temporary storage building (5 years) attached to existing building, on existing hardstanding at Chiltern Distribution Limited Funthams Lane Whittlesey
3: Change of use of existing house to mixed use to include erection of a single storey detached building for the use as a hair salon business and erect a porch to front of existing house (part retrospective) at 42 Feldale Place Whittlesey
4: A wind turbine 65m high (hub height) involving removal of existing wind turbine at Land South East Of Pondersbridge Farm Oilmills Road Pondersbridge
