‘Good turnout, engaged the residents and raised the bar (in
parish politics)’ according to a Selby District Council Official after the
election.
Results: 376 verified votes, turnout 26.8%
Mark Allitt 217 votes
Vic Parkin 159 votes
Both candidates deserve praise for putting forward their
names and applying their energy in an excellent example of local democracy in
which residents filled a casual Parish Council vacancy avoiding a dirty-deal co-option
of a mate by a small clique of sitting Councillors.
The election of Mark Allitt of Orchard End, popular with the
local sporting fraternity in particular, brings great opportunities.
The Parish Council suffers from an absence of representation
of what some long-term residents call ‘the in-comers in their posh house at t’other
end of t’village’. Most recent residents
show little interest in village matters and rarely visit Parish Council
meetings until they have a problem.
The Village suffers from a flood of planning plans and applications
that could turn plots and fields in the Orchard End, Mill Lane, School Road vicinity
into Hemingbrough ‘New Town’ with increased burdens on roads, drainage, the school
and other facilities.
The Parish Council suffers from bullying, untruths, factionalism and absurd ‘Nodding Donkey’ Councillors ready to nod through as a lawful record the Parish Clerk’s flawed minutes of an Annual Parish Meeting.
In a Council of eleven Members, residents
cannot afford virtually silent, full- or part-time or curmudgeonly Councillors who
contribute little in the poorly regulated, monthly bun-fight except for their personal
embarrassment.
The Council’s Auditor
criticises the Council for banking too much money instead of spending it for
the benefit of residents. The Leaders, Strelczenie
and Procter, do not have any plans for the Council to attract the Community Interest
Levy payments from house developers.
All residents should welcome Mark’s election if his enthusiasm
leads the Council away from its present course and ensures Council Planners and
builders hear the Hemingbrough Voice. His
election should be a warning to those who promise much at election time and
deliver virtually nothing.
Well done, Mark, and well done Hemingbrough.
