Special Okehampton Town Council Meeting 30th August 2011

Special Okehampton Town Council Meeting 30th August 2011

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00) Thursday, 17 November 2011 12:07

Council Business - Full Town Council Minutes

Minutes of a Special Meeting of Okehampton Town Council held on Tuesday 30 August 2011 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Okehampton at 6.45 pm

Members Present: Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Town Mayor)

Councillor K Ball

Councillor Mrs K Bickley

Councillor T Cummings

Councillor M Davies

Councillor Dr M Ireland

Councillor A Leech

Councillor Mrs C Marsh

Councillor M Morse

Councillor J Stockwell

Councillor P Vachon

In Attendance: D Bent (Town Clerk)

179.     Apologies for Absence - An apology for absence was presented on behalf of Councillor D Weekes.

180.     Co-option of New Councillor - The Clerk advised due process had been followed for co-option of this vacancy which was for a period of approximately 3½ years concluding at the end of the current Council’s life.  He reported this was the second advertisement and one application had been received from S Stormont of Westbridge Close, Okehampton, which application had been circulated to Members.

Members expressed disappointment over only one application which offered insufficient information on the candidate’s abilities whilst being known to a number of Councillors.  Members requested further details and experience from Mr Stormont of his involvement in the community.  It was established he had served as a Councillor for many years previously and was diligent, but had lost his seat following an election and had previously applied for co-option.  On the proposition of Councillor Mrs McDonald, seconded by Councillor Mrs Marsh, it was resolved a decision be not made regarding his co-option, such decision to be deferred pending the receipt of a full application with details of his experience and service to the community with the vacancy of Town Councillor re-advertised through various media including Okehampton magazine, Town and Hamlets notice boards, Facebook, website etc (Mr Stormont to be informed).

Councillor Leech and Councillor Cummings wished their vote be recorded against this decision.

Councillor Leech commented that Mr Stormont was a suitable and good candidate who had served Okehampton Town Council well in the past and accepted responsibility for his application.

Meeting closed 7.05 pm.

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Councillor Mrs M McDonald

Town Mayor