A town council suspended all its business after arguments erupted between councillors at a meeting described as being like the ‘wild west.’ Clevedon Town Council met for the first time last week post-election with a proposal to streamline the number of committees from six to three.
These plans were made in an auditors report which suggested the number of committees is reduced in a bid to make the organisation more efficient. The move is also aimed at reducing the workload of staff and councillors and cutting down on costs.
But it proved very contentious among some, with bickering breaking out between councillors. And after an ‘acrimonious’ few hours trying to reach a resolution, a decision was made to abandon the meeting - and suspend the work of the council until an agreement can be reached, reports Somerset Live.
READ MORE: Frustrated local slam changes to town's controversial seafront scheme
Councillors are scheduled to meet again on June 10 where it is hoped an agreement can be reached - with chairman Mr Morgan warning that ‘heads will need to be banged together.’ Councillor Morgan said: “The council has had some internal difficulties which resulted in a poor auditors report.
“The report recommended a number of changes including reducing the number of committees on the council as they were taking up too much time of staff and councillors. This is about streamlining the organisation and reducing costs and making the council more efficient.
“The council spends a lot of time and money on servicing committees and this is not good value." A ‘timetable of change’ was agreed by the last council, with the matter among one of the first issues due to be discussed by the newly elected members.
“There was an element within the council who wanted to vote against the changes,” said Mr Morgan “It got to the stage where no one could agree and the meeting was abandoned as we could not move forward with the agenda.” Mr Morgan said the council was now in a ‘state of paralysis’ while the issue is resolved.
“It was the worst meeting I have been to in the 30 years I have been on the council,” said Mr Morgan. “It was like having a group of children that were bickering and could not agree on anything.
“Heads will have to be banged together to sort this mess out and move forward. In the meantime, it is the town which is suffering as there is no elected representation taking place.”
Although no committee meetings will be held until the matter is resolved, people will still be able to access the hall for bookings. However decisions on planning applications may be delayed as the council is unable to comment on them.
Applications for grant funding are also likely to be affected.
UP NEXT:
