"Rough with the Smooth"

HENLEY'S councillors discovered the true meaning of "taking the rough with the smooth" at a double-whammy' of a parish council meeting.

Not only did the annual meeting Beaudesert and Henley Joint Parish Council take place on Monday night but it was followed seamlessly by a full meeting of the parish council.

It was out with the old and in with the new as, in annual tradition, Cllr Les Goodman (pictured above) was elected by his fellow councillors to the post of Chairman, taking over from Cllr Sheila Roy.

ClIr Roy thanked all the councillors for their support. She said: "At times it has been challenging but we have a strong parish council which has dealt with difficult decision with professionalism. I have enjoyed the last two years and would like to thank the parish clerk for her support to me."

Taking his place in the chairman's seat, Cllr Goodman thanked his fellow councillors for their votes. "On behalf of the parish council I should thank Sheila for all her hard work over the last two years. At times it has been difficult but she has handled it remarkably well.

"I ask the council to help me promote Henley, which is what we are after all here for." The council elected ClIr Roger Hubbocks as vice-chairman.

But it was not all congratulations and applause. Bad news came with the commencement of the full council meeting with Cllr Roy's announcement that the council's reaccreditation for Quality Status had been rejected.

To achieve Quality Status parish and town councils must demonstrate they have reached certain minimum standards by passing a series of tests. Cllr Roy explained that the failure had resulted from items not being minute and the council's lack of a risk register, but she assured these issues were being put right. Councillors voted to reapply for Quality Status in the autumn.

Report by Philippa Prankard - Stratford Herald - 14th May 2009