NEWLY-elected chairman, Clr Geoff Hickey of the Green Party was called on to use his casting vote twice in his first meeting in the chair at Kirkburton Parish Council’s annual meeting.
Tied votes are extremely rare but, within minutes of taking the chair to succeed Clr Lin Holroyd, the votes were tied not once but twice in the elections for the officers and committees.
The first time he had to decide between Clr Robert Barraclough (Green) and Clr John Taylor (Conservative) for who would be vice-chairman of the council, and later between Clrs Lin Holroyd and Malcolm MacDonald for the Independent member to serve on the staff and grievance committee. He chose Clr Barraclough as vice-chairman and Clr Holroyd for the committee.
In the annual parish meeting that followed, members of the public took the opportunity to ask questions on the progress of the council. Former councillor and parish council chairman Mike Greetham asked about a number of outstanding problems including the serious collapse, several years ago, of Kirkheaton Churchyard wall, which remains unrepaired, the progress towards Quality Parish Council Status and the 2005 national staff review which, according to Mr Greetham, appears has still not been implemented in Kirkburton.
Clr Hickey agreed to publish the answers to all the questions on the parish council notice boards.
Lorna MacDonald asked for the council to indemnify the Shelley Community Association to cover them for any losses occurring because the parish council had not installed a fire alarm system in the Shelley village hall, which the association runs, but which is owned by the council. Clr Hickey promised that the council would write to the community association to clarify the point.
Following the meeting, Clr Hickey invited elected members and the public to the George Hotel in Kirkburton for refreshments.
