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parish council secrecy - bill mouland (16th Dec 2008 - 13:13:33) As it’s pantomime season, where else could one possibly go on Monday night but the December meeting of Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council? After the fervour of the latest by-election battle and the hot exchanges of words on this website, I was expecting thrills and spills and fireworks from the new double act Barry ‘been here before’ Hope and Jackie ‘all the way from Godalming’ Poole. We waited (all four of us in the public gallery) with bated breath for the traditional moment when councillors go into secret session – ‘Oh no it’s not secret! Oh yes it is!’ – thinking that Barry would surely leap out with his sword of truthfulness to slay his evil opponents and declare proceedings open to everyone. After all, did he not say in his election spiel that he wanted to be ‘transparent, open and fully accountable?’ And was not the particular matter to be discussed something to do with a management issue close to his heart? Sadly, however, he had obviously forgotten the sword, or maybe it was broken, because Barry just sat on his hands and said nothing. Not a peep. Only brave Barbara Easton questioned why a debate was going to be held behind closed doors. ('Oh no, they’re not closed!' 'Oh yes, they are.') And she got short shrift from the pantomime dame for her troubles. Freedom of Information? It's behind you! I wonder what the Freemasons panto is like... Merry Christmas

Re: parish council secrecy - Barry Hope (16th Dec 2008 - 15:04:54) Oh Please Bill, I really thought you could be credited with more intelligence than to suggest that the answer to all ills is to explode into a hissy fit rage as soon as I enter the room on the first night and exude forth multiple insults, accusations and dire prophesies whilst wielding my trusty sword of truthfulness. (I happen to believe, as you obviously do, that the power of the pen is greater than the sword). If you read through all my posts on this site leading up to the by-election you will not find me promising to behave in that way at all. I did not get re-elected to the parish council on the basis of providing you, or anyone else, with entertainment. If that is what you think my purpose of seeking re-election was then you are very sadly misinformed and must have been on another planet. As I have always said, my reason for being on the parish council is to work for the benefit of the residents of Liphook. That was true when I was on the council before and remains true this time. I will act, as I have always done, with professionalism, honour and treating others with respect (something that you may find difficult to understand). The only way, I believe, to make a real difference to parish council affairs is to debate the issues, convince other councillors of the merit of the argument and to then exercise the right to vote. The more convincing an argument is, the more likely it will be that a majority of councillors will vote in support of common sense and over time this, combined with other suitable actions, can make a substantial difference to outcomes. I will also continue to make use of other resources (such as the Freedom of Information Act and the councils own policies and procedures) where appropriate and in the public interest. (I do have a current request being dealt with by the Information Commissioners’ Office by the way). That is the way I intend to move things forward, by sound, logical and reasonable debate, with the intention of persuading and supporting other councillors to make the right decisions and therefore achieve progress. I make no apologies to you If you don’t find that entertaining or it doesn’t fit in with your methods of getting things done, but I really don’t see you or anyone else, getting anywhere fast using the tactics you suggest, all that does is to further antagonise people, block any progress made and provide entertainment for you to sell your papers. You spend your time making fun of people if you so wish, I prefer to use my time more productively. Merry Christmas Bill.

Re: parish council secrecy - Chris (16th Dec 2008 - 16:24:59) Spill the beans Bill and tell us which newspaper you write for...

Re: parish council secrecy - Frank (16th Dec 2008 - 19:29:14) This link may provide a clue............ www.journalisted.com/bill-mouland

Re: parish council secrecy - Paul Robinson (16th Dec 2008 - 22:51:48) O.K. Barry. Now talk to me. I voted for you on your stance of open meetings and now it appears you are toeing the line. What happened with your campaign for openess? Did you further your enquiry for unauthorised, unminuted payments of tax payers monies? I think we should be told. Paul Robinson

Re: parish council secrecy - Allan (17th Dec 2008 - 02:02:19) Some years ago Bill wrote some great articles for The Daily Mail, always found them informative and interesting. That post on B. Hope's first night in council lacked any form of objectiveness. Why, Bill ? You are a very good journalist and it takes me somewhat by surprise that you posted so. Allan

Re: parish council secrecy - Barry Hope (17th Dec 2008 - 09:52:51) Paul You must appreciate that there are rules within the council and if I were to break the rules I could be excluded from sitting on committees or at worst from the council, not a result I want having just got on it. I can assure you I am committed to more openness and transparency and will be working hard towards that aim over the coming months. To be successful in this aim I will need to put motions to the council and to gain support from the majority of councillors when it comes to voting in favour of it. This is the only way anyone can make any difference and ensure that any decision made (e.g. to make more information available etc) become binding on the council and therefore have to happen by law (as long as the decision is legal in itself). It would be simply impossible for me to achieve this alone (by pinning the chairman down and demanding it whilst waiving my sword as Bill would have me do for example). As I said earlier, I do need time to gain the support of other likeminded councillors so I can ensure that sensible motions are passed. I am confident that there are some sensible councillors on the council so please have a little patience. In answer to your specific question; yes I have furthered my enquiry about any payments made using taxpayers money. I made a request to the council over a year ago for information under the freedom of information act and the council decided they could not (due to conflicts arising associated with the data protection act) either confirm or deny that they even held the information requested. I subsequently wrote to the council complaining that I considered it unreasonable and still had the same reply. I had to follow this route in order to comply with procedures if I wanted to then complain further to the Information Commissioners Office. This I did, but they were, and still are I believe, so overwhelmed with work that it has taken them all this time to follow up my complaint. I have been informed that they are now investigating it further and have apparently written to the council asking them for their side of the story and for the reasons for their non disclosure. I am awaiting the outcome of that investigation. I may not get the answer I want and if that is the case I will have to accept it and think of another strategy, but at least I would have tried my best to obtain the information. (Just as a side note, I will not be able to take part in any discussions or voting on this by the way as I would have to declare a personal and prejudicial interest and leave the room whilst any discussion is held or vote taken, that is required by law and protects the electorate from corrupt practices and prevents councillors being able to influence decisions that may benefit them as individuals). You must realise that, as a councillor I am bound by the legislation that is laid down by acts of parliament and not just by Bramshott and Liphook Council. When taking up office I have to sign the necessary legal forms and abide by them and am therefore bound by rules pertaining to confidentiality and other related matters. Throughout the last few years I have respected that position as I consider myself to be honourable and professional. That is why you will find no confidential detail posted by me anywhere on this site or elsewhere. All that I have posted have been opinions and views based on my experience and understanding. The road to openness and transparency is achievable and I will work hard to improve this, but it may take a little while. Lastly, everything I have said on this post does not conflict with confidentiality issues as I have only spoken about actions that I have undertaken as a private individual which I am entitled to share with you if I so wish. Hope this answers your question Paul. Best wishes Barry

Re: parish council secrecy - Allan (18th Dec 2008 - 01:00:31) Paul, You are not known for your patience. Did you expect the man to grab fellow councilors by the throat demanding truth and facts with threats of "You're dead, pal, unless you tell me NOW" Give him credit for his level of intelligence and knowledge of the "system" It is perceived by some what the subject matter is, but it is not fair on anybody to jump to conclusions without facts, is it? Best left for time to tell it's tale

Re: parish council secrecy - Barry Hope (18th Dec 2008 - 13:54:46) Thank you for your words of wisdom Allan. I agree with your observations 99% (I may not have used the word pal…). Nonetheless, I do hope people will understand that it does take a little patience, perseverance and the appropriate use of rules and procedures that are there to be used by all, to achieve a solid and lasting outcome. I and mine wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year. Barry

Re: parish council secrecy - bill mouland (18th Dec 2008 - 16:07:11) Sadly, Barry, none of the papers for which I write would be interested in the goings on at the parish council, unless you stood up and shot the clerk or the chairman or something which would be a great story. Although obviously not for them. If you're going to do that by the way, can you make it in the public session rather than the exempt one? Chris. Your question has been answered by a subsequent poster. Allan. Nice pint; think you should have paid though...silly thought... Bah Humbug.

Re: parish council secrecy - Barry Hope (18th Dec 2008 - 17:57:31) Bill Just for you, I will reserve the silver bullet for such a time when you are there and can witness the final deed. I would expect that to get into the nationals alongside the other reports about political heroes and villians ?? Merry Christmas to both you and Jenny ;)

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