During the last town council elections, our town council was returned unopposed. At the time, I recall a senior town councillor feeling grateful for this. The council worked well as it was, she said, ands that this would now continue. Such views are, of course, undemocratic. But can we blame councillors for feeling that way if, actually, none of us bothers to stand? It's hardly their fault. The fault lies with us.
Since then, we have seen two resignations from the town council. Geraint Woolford left straight after his mayoral year. His co-opted replacement was Dave Snape. There was no contest for this seat. Now, we have a second vacancy. No one put their names forward for a contest. Why was that? Disinterest, perhaps? I doubt that—I can think of a few who might be interested. No, the answer was that no one knew of it.
Which results in further co-optee. The clerk has put up a notice in the town hall doorway, opposite the Wynnstay Road memorial, asking for those who are interested to send in their details. Again, we ask, who will know of this—other than, possibly, the person that the town councillors have lined up for the post. It seems that putting up the notice has a feel of simply meeting the legal requirements. There's been no notification on the town council website or on any Facebook page I have seen (certainly not on the most obvious).
Which all rather leads to the conclusion that the town council is slipping back to its previously guarded, jobs-for-the-boys approach that was so characteristic of the 70s and 80s (and probably some of the 90s, as well). It is the town council which is selecting our representatives, not us... and this cannot be good for democracy.
Which results in further co-optee. The clerk has put up a notice in the town hall doorway, opposite the Wynnstay Road memorial, asking for those who are interested to send in their details. Again, we ask, who will know of this—other than, possibly, the person that the town councillors have lined up for the post. It seems that putting up the notice has a feel of simply meeting the legal requirements. There's been no notification on the town council website or on any Facebook page I have seen (certainly not on the most obvious).
Which all rather leads to the conclusion that the town council is slipping back to its previously guarded, jobs-for-the-boys approach that was so characteristic of the 70s and 80s (and probably some of the 90s, as well). It is the town council which is selecting our representatives, not us... and this cannot be good for democracy.
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Town Council