Members of Wilmslow Town Council voted unanimously last night to revoke their decision to spend nearly £13,000 of taxpayer's money of ceremonial chains.
In June councillors voted by nine to four to purchase chains of office for their Chairman and Vice-Chairman and ten past Chairman's medals for a total cost of £12,700.
However, following an outcry from local residents, the Town Council agreed to review the decision at their next meeting on Monday, 15th July, after a special motion was requested by five town councillors.
Councillors Ellie Brooks, Ruth McNulty, Don Glover, Gary Barton and Paul Barton requested that the decision was rescinded and reviewed at a later date.
Noone spoke against the motion at last night's meeting so it was voted through without debate. Thirteen councillors voted in favour of retracting the decision, none voted against and one abstention was recorded for Cllr Trevor Jones.
Cllr Keith Purdom, Chairman of Wilmslow Town Council, said "I am pleased that this matter has been addressed and that we voted so decisively in response to public feedback."
Cllr Gary Barton said "I believe that Wilmslow Town Council works best when it listens to the residents of Wilmslow. I believe that we have shown that we do listen to local residents in resisting any potential over development in Wilmslow through the local plan. We have been a strong voice against green belt development whilst also investing in Wilmslow's green spaces such as Lindow Common. Our work in this area has been acknowledged by local residents groups speaking at full Council meetings.
"When it comes to the purchase of regalia, I believe. therefore, that we will also make the best decision if we listen to residents, and they have said 'no'. Sometimes Councils views can be become too introvert and when voices speak out to give you a reality check it is a good thing to say, 'actually, we were wrong'. It is human to make mistakes, and how we respond to those mistakes is important.
"I was originally in favour of regalia because I felt it was important to help establish Wilmslow Town Council's identity. However, I believe that it is more important for WTC to establish itself by its own actions and not through imitation of others. WTC should establish its identity by not purchasing regalia; by acting as a modern Council responding to 21st century values and the needs of the present day. At a time when too many families are in need, this money could and should be better spent on supporting projects such as St Bartholomew's Food Friend Project."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Now they can focus on delivering the real improvements that Wilmslow needs.
It's not forward thinking of a council to listen to the wishes of the electorate, it what the electorate put them there to do.
I look forward to the next debacle put forward by WTC, CE et al; goodness only knows with wasted money on recycling plants, inability to reign in gypsies, wasted time and money on jewellery it shouldn't be long to wait...
@John Rowland: The issue of security for the Carnival field and elsewhere was raised by me at the meeting and WTC and CEC will be working together on the issue.
@ Denise Hutchinson: We can certainly take a look at equipment on the Carrs and also at installing benches for parents/grandparents.
@Paul Weston: Please do keep us under scrutiny! Having input from all perspectives is important and helpful.