Vote goes against the council

HENLEY officially has no confidence in its parish council.

Residents headed to the polls on Tuesday (May 25) to have their say on whether or not they had faith in Beaudesert and Henley Joint Parish Council.

They were asked to cast a yes or no vote on the question: "Do you agree that confidence has been lost in the leadership and management of Beaudesert and Henley Joint Parish Council and that all existing councillors should resign immediately and that there should be an election for a new parish council as soon as possible?"

Out of the 221 residents who turned out, 117 voted yes.

The referendum was called amidst claims councillors were not listening to the concerns of residents.

Residents felt their opinions were ignored over the possible installation of CCTV cameras in Henley and the allotment committee also disbanded, claiming poor working relations with the parish council.

And things really came to a head when the council objected to the purple frontage of Bespoke Curtains and Blinds in High Street.

The council was even accused of racism against the shop's Asian owner, which councillors rejected saying they were only concerned with the conservation of the town.

Henley Reform Association told the Stratford Observer: "The result is a powerful indicator that there is significant dissatisfaction with the way the parish council is being run. It will be very interesting to see the council response having lost this vote of confidence.

"On the face of it, doing nothing would not seem to be an option. The councillors should do what honour dictates and resign immediately."

The result of the poll is not legally binding on the parish council who are yet to comment on the result.

The Stratford Observer - Thursday 27th May 2010