Town councillor Mike Hawkins has tendered his resignation from the town council, stating that he no longer wishes to be part of a “self serving” group of councillors.
Mike Hawkins was elected as a councillor for the Ham Ward in 2003, and has served as town mayor for two terms.
However, at the weekend he tendered his resignation with immediate effect, expressing his frustration with councillors who attempt to serve their own personal agenda, as well as criticising the unnecessary amount of time councillors spend debating “frivolous measures” in town council meetings.
In his resignation Mike Hawkins said, “I have had the privilege of serving as Town Mayor on two occasions, and at all times have strived to serve the people of our town. However, of late, I have noticed that certain town councillors have attempted to serve their own personal agenda, and we have spent an unnecessary amount of time in debating frivolous measures such as;
“Whether an extra meeting called has been an ‘EXTRA-ordinary’ meeting, or an ‘EXTRA-ORDINARY’ meeting; Whether Standing Orders should be amended to ensure that any reference to “he” should be translated to “he” or “she”; to any sensible person in this day, these terms are accepted as being interchangeable! What a complete waste of money spent on staff attendance at such meetings.
“Councillors have objected to the number of “extra-ordinary” meetings being called, and have then called for such a meeting to be called to discuss whether the minutes of a meeting two months previous were correct! This highlights to me that certain councillors do not bother to read their agenda papers prior to the meeting, or wish to change records to suit their own purposes;
“Certain town councillors are interested only in their own agendas, and when they do not get their own way, they are resorting to the now discredited action of reporting their opponents to the Standards Board for England, or at least their own monitoring officer.
“A town councillor, who also serves as a unitary councillor for another division of Wiltshire Council has, for his own unexplained reasons, voted against and attempted to prevent the planning consent for the Health Care facility desperately needed for the people of our town, in favour of a footpath that few people even knew existed, and even less used!
“These people are, in my opinion, diminishing the work and credibility of Westbury Town Council and failing to carry out their statutory duties as elected representatives.
“I no longer wish to be part of this rapidly becoming “self serving” group as there are many other ways I am able to serve this community!”
“Councillors with over 5 years service will know to whom I refer, and whilst they (those with over 5 years experience) continue to try to serve the people of our town, some of the newer members are completely failing to carry out their electoral responsibilities!!
“Finally, I would like you to record my gratitude to the officers and staff of the Town Council for their support to the town!”
Following a resignation, Wiltshire Council will publish a notice asking for ten electors from the ward to come forward and request an election. If fewer than ten electors come forward, the town council is able to appoint a new member by co-option. If an election is requested by ten or more electors, a by-election will be held within 60 days.
