Councillor accused of disregard for Human Rights Act

Rebekah Smith - Stratford Herald - 16th September 2010

A member of Beaudesert and Henley Joint Parish Council came under fire from residents at a meeting of the full council on Monday night for his alleged disregard of the Human Rights Act, writes Rebekah Smith.

John Tristram, of Prince Harry Road said Cllr George Matheou had referred in the Human Rights Act at a meeting 6th September. Mr Tristram said: “He'' [Cllr Matheou] closed by saying the Human Rights Act did not apply to the parish council. Cllr Carsina Goodman said it should be shredded." Mr Tristram said it was totally unacceptable tor councillors, who were public servants, to talk about an Act enshrined in human law in such a way. Mr Tristram said he would like a full inquiry into the councillors' conduct and asked why neither chairman Cllr Les Goodman nor clerk Jenny Walsh had acted immediately. He then presented a written complaint to the council.

Cllr Matheou argued he had only said the Act was not relevant to Henley as he did not know of any cases in the town where it applied.

Resident Margaret Twigg, who made a plea for councillors to stop bickering at last week’s meeting, said: "I was appealed at the way Cllr Matheou ridiculed the Human Rights Act. He has his opinion but the way it was delivered just adds fuel to the fire." Brian Twigg added: "Whatever Mr Matheou says the Human Rights Act applies to all public authorities and applies to the JPC."

Later, clerk Jenny Walsh defended her failure to correct Cllr Matheou: "What he was trying to say was that the legislation wasn’t appropriate to the questions that were being asked. That's why I didn't correct him."

Referring to the length of time the public are allowed to speak at meetings she said: "I can assure you legislation is not being infringed by only asking people to speak for up to three minutes."

Later in the meeting the council was asked to approve its manifesto for 2011.

Cllr Bill Leech suggested items about cost savings in line with government policy and David Cameron’s Big Society concept be included. He said: "I would have expected to see an endorsement of the Prime Minister’s Big Society concept that we would be working with other organisations in the town and it doesn't really make any reference that. Also we're aware of cost savings now in the public sector and there's nothing about seeking cost savings in this authority."

Cllr Matheou said no specific details about the Big Society had been revealed yet so it would be difficult to include anything in the manifesto.

Cllr Goodman said he thought the council should discuss the manifesto at another meeting towards the end of October when councillors had more understanding of the Big Society concept. He said: “When there’s something specific I recommend the parish council put it on the agenda and discuss it in full when we have something to discuss.”