Arlesey town council – a new hope
Around 120 people filled the Village Hall for the election of officers for
Arlesey Town Council Annual meeting on the 13th May 2014.
In what some saw as a cynical move current chairman Nick Daniels
‘stepped down’ for the meeting as he was ‘a candidate’. Cllr Mick Holloway
(in some residents eyes a new hope) was up against him for the office of
chairman. The vote was requested to be a secret ballot by Councillor David
West and pre-printed voting slips were issued. It was revealed that the
ballot was tied, and as chairman of the election Cllr Judy Rencontre had the
casting vote, who said: “Under the standing orders I have the deciding vote.”
“I will stick to the original vote that I made in the nomination papers and
vote for Nick Daniels to be chair of this council.”
The result angered many residents who had turned out hoping to
welcome in a new chairman, and they voiced their feelings and left the
meeting early after the voting had finished. One woman shouted: “Shocking,
shocking. Hang your heads in shame.”
Cllr David West turned to the public saying: “If members of the public
interrupt this meeting I will ask you (Cllr Rencontre) to call them to order.”
“If they are called to order three times I will ask you to clear the chamber.
This is a meeting of the council and not a meeting of the general public.”
Returning to his post of chairman Cllr Daniels said: “I would like to thank
all the councillors who supported me throughout the vote. I do appreciate
with the vote the way that it was this is a very split council.”
Next was the election of the vice-chairman. Cllr Duncan Wang and Cllr
David West and were both proposed for the role, and after this ballot Cllr
the first parish
council 1894
In the year 1894 the Government of the day decreed that all Rural Parishes
in the country must institute a Parish Council, which would act on behalf of
the residents, and deal with matters of common concern within the Parish.
Arlesey was awarded 15 Councillors. This number was based on the
number of Manors, of which Arlesey had three. ETONBURY, LANTHONY,
ARLESEY BURY.
The first Parish meeting – to which all resident were invited - took place
in the Infants School on 4th December 1894 at 6.30 pm in accordance with
due notice having been given to elect 15 Councillors for the Parish. The
meeting was chaired by HENRY HILDRED.
The Chairman requested all nomination papers to be handed to him – a
total of 33 nominations were received. Attention was drawn to the name of
SAMUEL HOUGHTON, who was employed by the GNR Railway, as their
servants were not to take part in parish affairs. Samuel replied that he would
answer for himself and hold himself responsible. JOHN ELLS, then withdrew
his candidature.
The Chairman then asked if the meeting wished to elect councillors by
a show of hands, but considering the number of nominations doubted if it
could be settled that way. GEORGE STALLEY then proposed the matter
should be settled by a poll. This was seconded by ARTHUR TYLER.
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