Brockworth Parish Councillors 'gagged'
A ‘gagging order’ has been made against councillors in Brockworth talking freely to the press.
Members of the parish council have been ordered to avoid speaking directly to journalists under the rules of a controversial ‘publicity policy’.
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Jim Hunt
The news comes after disgruntled members approached The Citizen to speak out against several controversial decisions passed by the council last year.
The move was revealed last week during a parish council meeting.
Chairman Jim Hunt said: “You can’t have everyone talking to the press. Only the clerk or the chairman should talk to the press, because they are more likely to know the real facts involved.”
Julie Shirley, who took up the post of parish clerk last year after former clerk Graham Lewis resigned, said members were still allowed to talk to the press as residents.
She said: “If you get a call, for example, as an Abbotswood Road resident, that’s no problem.”
Mr Hunt added: “If you get a call about council business, it would be best if you clear what you are going to say with the clerk.”
But Mike Collins, who also sits on Tewkesbury Borough and Gloucestershire County Council, said he had questions about the policy.
He said: “As far as commenting on behalf of the council, I am in full agreement with Julie and Jim, it should be them.
“But every member of the council should have the right to talk to the press about parish council issues, as an individual member.
“Also, I sit on the council with my borough and county Council hats on, and I feel I should be able to make comments.
“Maybe gagging is too strong a word for it, but I’m sure some people will see it that way.”
Last year, Brockworth Parish Council made front page news after writing to mum Vicki James two weeks after her daughter’s death and asking her to remove toys from her grave.
The council also hit the headlines after a controversial decision to oppose plans to create a memorial wall to teenager Gemma Denning, who died earlier last year at her home.
21 Comments
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by Parish Councillor, Brockworth
Wednesday, January 20 2010, 11:39AM
“Why doesn't The Citizen do articles about the many good things that Brockworth Parish Councillors and staff do, instead of the monthly muck raking ?”
by a readerglos, glos
Monday, January 18 2010, 4:59PM
“ironic that the paper @the citizen' moans about councillors being gagged and freedom of speech when it spends all day censoring the comments made to its articles by the general public”
by Joe K, Barton & Tredworth
Monday, January 18 2010, 3:03PM
“Yep, that's what I though, on reflection. Soz.”
by Paul, Gloucester
Monday, January 18 2010, 2:59PM
“Joe K, Barton & Tredworth
I meant "yet again" as in this being another story made out of nothing, not that it's been mentioned "yet again" within this current article.”
by Joe K, Barton & Tredworth
Monday, January 18 2010, 2:00PM
“Ah, but I guess you don't mean 'yet again' in this article...
This *may* get repeated...”
by Joe K, Barton & Tredworth
Monday, January 18 2010, 1:54PM
“Actually, Paul, the Citizen didn't bring up donuts on this occasion.”
by spin-spotter, cheltenham
Monday, January 18 2010, 1:52PM
“"Last year, Brockworth Parish Council made front page news after writing to mum Vicki James two weeks after her daughter¿s death and asking her to remove toys from her grave.
The council also hit the headlines after a controversial decision to oppose plans to create a memorial "
While supporting any reasonable campaign for free speech, I strongly advise the Citizen not to invade Brockworth Council rooms without a UN Resolution backed up by incontravertible proof of the existence of weapons of mass destruction (or at least a note from their Mum).”
by Paul, Gloucester
Monday, January 18 2010, 1:35PM
“Only the Clerk and Chairman of the parish council can speak ON BEHALF of the parish council. Any of the councillors can continue to talk to the press as individuals. This is a normal procedure with parish councils.
As regards the Jam Donuts... this was a 3 line funny story that the Citizen yet again decided to use to make a mockery of Brockworth Parish Council. How can you believe anything the Citizen prints when they feel they have to sensationalise every little piece of information. Note to Citizen Editor - I am bored of reading about Brockworth Parish Council - how about some real news.”
by Digger, Brockworth
Monday, January 18 2010, 1:30PM
“I agree that chosen representatives of the Parish Council should be main spokespersons, but that should not mean that other councillors should remain silent. Where is the democracy in 2 people on the council vetoing what is said to the press? What about freedom of speech?”
by Pear Tree Brockwoth, Hucclecote
Monday, January 18 2010, 1:07PM
“Douglas, Dymock and Sarah Gloucester ¿ I thought Jim Hunt was chairman of the ¿Pearty Pear Tree¿ Party and of course the Tesco ¿Not enough jam¿ I¿m a dodger. Why not give Jim 5 packs of Sainburys Jam dodgers? That will silence him as with chasm of jam whilst someone else speaks”