Monday, April 27 2009

Minutes Extraordinary Meeting 16th April 2009

WEST WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Parish Council, held on Thursday, 16th April 2009 in the Sports Pavilion, Rookwood Road, West Wittering

PRESENT: Mr. R. Hutton, (Chairman) Mr R. Shrubb (Vice Chairman) Mr. D. Wright, Mr. J Robertson, Mr. S. Colwell, Mr T. Tupper, Mr. D. Hopson, (until item 43) Mr. K. Martin, Mr. W Buckland, and 9 members of the Public.

40. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None

41. DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT
None

42. COUNCILLOR HOPSON- RESIGNATION
The Chairman opened the meeting and described the events which had led to the extraordinary meeting being called. He referred to a period of unrest during which several Councillors had expressed concern to him about Mr. Hopson’s conduct since December 2008 when he had refused to sit at Parish Council meetings and refused to undertake any duties on behalf of the Council.
The Chairman asked the Clerk to report to the Council regarding Mr Hopson’s resignation.
The Clerk reported that Mr Hopson had sent a letter to the Chairman on 6th January 2009 stating that he would be resigning on 2nd May 2009, which was acknowledged by the Chairman. In April 2009 Mr Hopson sent a further e mail stating that he wished to withdraw his resignation.
Mr Hopson disputed that the meeting had been properly called because in his view he had not resigned, and it followed therefore that there was there was no resignation to discuss..
The Clerk reported that following her research and after discussion with Mr Trevor Leggo, Secretary Sussex Association of Local Councils, once a resignation was received it could not be withdrawn.
Members then discussed the options regarding legal advice.
Mr Wright stated that suitable chambers with the appropriate local government experience would be Landmark, which the Parish Council had consulted before, however Mr Martin felt that it would be more prudent to consult the National Association of Local Councils as this advice would be free of charge.
Following further discussion regarding this matter, it was proposed by Mr. Shrubb that the Parish Council obtain a written legal opinion from NALC regarding whether Councillor Hopson’s resignation could be withdrawn, and that the Chairman and Clerk should meet with Trevor Leggo in order to brief him with the appropriate letters, emails and minutes relating to the resignation.
This was seconded by Mr Colwell and on a vote of 8 for and 1 abstention, agreed by the Council.

43. COUNCILLOR HOPSON – COMPLAINT TO MONITORING OFFICER
On a proposal by Mr Hutton, seconded by Mr Martin, members voted to exclude the Press and the Public in order to discuss this item. Mr Hopson indicated that he would leave the meeting at this point. He was asked to reconsider by Mr Robertson, but left at this point in the meeting.
Members discussed the requirements of the Code of Conduct in relation to Mr. Hopsons conduct.
Following discussion it was proposed by Mr Hutton, seconded by Mr. Buckland and agreed by members that the Chairman should make the following complaints on behalf of the Council;
1. Councillor David Hopson sent a number of threatening, bullying or disrespectful emails to fellow councillors and the clerk of WWPC and thus failed to treat others with respect and conducted himself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing his office or authority into disrepute;
2. Councillor David Hopson failed to act in accordance with the reasonable requirements of the Council to transfer the Council’s internet domain names to new domain name servers; and
3. Councillor David Hopson refused to serve as a parish councillor and sit at the council table at meetings and further stated in an email that he was remaining on the parish council in order to further his own ends in writing and gathering material for articles and thus failed to treat others with respect and conducted himself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing his office or authority into disrepute.

There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 9.05pm

Signed…………………….…Chairman Date……………………

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 7th May 2009
in the new West Wittering Sports Pavilion, Rookwood Rd.