Annual town meeting for Wilmslow residents

by Lisa Reeves

Thursday 15^th March 2018

Thu 15^th Mar 2018

Wilmslow residents are invited to attend the Annual Town Meeting which will be held on Thursday, 22nd March, at Wilmslow Parish Hall on Cliff Road.

The Annual Town Meeting is not a council meeting but a meeting of the residents of the town, providing an opportunity for them to ask councillors questions and express their views about issues affecting Wilmslow.

The meeting will commence at 7pm when the Chairman of the Town Council, Cllr Martin Watkins, will deliver his annual report.

Representatives from Wilmslow groups will then be invited to report on their activities during the year, followed by a period when councillors will consider any questions relating to specific town matters.

All those present will be asked for their name and address when speaking and only registered local electors may speak unless the meeting agrees otherwise. Additionally, only registered local electors can vote on any item.

See our events calendar for the meeting agenda.

Tags:: Annual Town Meeting of Wilmslow

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Jon Newell

Thursday 15^th March 2018 at 2:48 pm

Are we sure of the start time?
I am sure I have seen notices quoting a 6pm start time.

Lisa Reeves

Thursday 15^th March 2018 at 3:39 pm

The agenda I was sent said it starts at 7pm but I am double-checking.

Stuart Redgard

Thursday 15^th March 2018 at 8:38 pm

The problem is conflicting information on Wilmslow Town Council own Website,

The notice of meeting on the Website says 6:00pm, the separate word document for the agenda says 7:00pm.

Oliver Romain

Friday 16^th March 2018 at 7:23 am

Never been to a meeting where you have to announce your name AND address before speaking. What’s the motive?

Terry Roeves

Friday 16^th March 2018 at 5:23 pm

Oliver - I guess that WTC want to ensure that questions come from residents and not for example from an employee of a builder who lives somewhere like Poynton. Terry

Friday 16^th March 2018 at 6:10 pm

Being forced to reveal your name and address before speaking is probably a breach of privacy also what will the council and others in attendance do with this private data?
They may want the personal information to subvert dissent.
Also what will the voting be about? Very strange.

Saturday 17^th March 2018 at 9:12 pm

Terry they can ask for residency papers at the door no need to identify your address in public. It’s probably so they can identify dissenters. Anyway it’s alledgedly not a WTC meeting. It’s a meeting of residents but WTC seem to be dictating the rules. And what’s all this voting about? It’s really odd.

David Jefferay

Monday 19^th March 2018 at 11:21 am

Hi Oliver, there is nothing sinister or devious about the arrangements for the meeting. The request for speaker's name and address is simply a quick way of confirming that the person lives in the town (and is therefore entitled to participate at the meeting) so we are compliant with legislation. Those are the rules Wtc has set for the meeting but if you truly do not wish to announce your address but can confirm otherwise your residency before speaking, I'm sure the Chair and town clerk will agree an alternative way forward.

Re the voting, it is for any decisions made at the meeting (done by a show of hands of the Electors present) as per guidance that we adhere to from the Society of Local Council Clerks.

Hope that helps.

David 

Monday 19^th March 2018 at 12:13 pm

Jon - to confirm the meeting does start at 7pm.

Tuesday 20^th March 2018 at 4:15 pm

David I thought it was portrayed as not being a WTC meeting but it sure sounds like a WTC meeting.

Tuesday 20^th March 2018 at 7:58 pm

Oliver
It is a town meeting called by the town council.
Take a look at page 32 of this...
http://bit.ly/2pqK1On
Hope that helps.
David

David Smith

Wednesday 21^st March 2018 at 2:51 pm

I suppose there isn't anything to stop someone from outside the area giving the name and address of someone who is local? Just giving your name and address doesn't prove you are who you say you are!

Wednesday 21^st March 2018 at 4:22 pm

True David, but it's the same approach as the current rules for even a general election. I suppose if there was reason to doubt someone's word then the chair could ask for proof of address.

Thursday 22^nd March 2018 at 11:20 am

Another example in favour of identity cards that contain your photograph - just to easily prove who you are. Sure they could be faked but who would want to obtain a fake ID card just so they can attend a low level meeting such as this?