Hermitage Parish Council is still struggling, after a 14 day notice period has ended, during which no request for an election was put in.
Hermitage Parish Council is facing difficulties after a 14-day notice period ended without any election requests.
This situation arose when the majority of councillors resigned, leaving only three, including the chair. As a result, the council couldn’t form a ‘quorum’ to make decisions.
Now, the council is looking to co-opt eight new members to fill the vacant seats. Anyone interested in helping manage local facilities and decisions is welcome, provided they can attend monthly meetings.
In recent weeks, West Berkshire Council has been working with Hermitage’s clerk, appointing Councillors Paul Dick and Heather Codling temporarily to keep the council functioning.
Seven councillors stepped down, citing frustration over being unable to effect change, with tensions between newer councillors and the established members. Ian Govier, one of the resigning councillors, stated, "The village has changed and what people want is different to the ‘old days’. We need to be transparent and open to opinions of our residents."
Hermitage Parish Council will hold its next meeting on Monday, October 27.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
