Following on from the questions raised in public question time regarding the Farmers car Park, the item was raised again as per the agenda. Jean Eccles vacated the Chair and it was taken by Councillor Middleton.
He read a prepared statement from Jean Eccles which tried to portray the Eccles in a new light.
Believe it or not, probably not, they are actually benefactors, and great ones at that, you ask them!
They actually allowed the use of the car park for the benefit of the council and public and were actually so upset by the public reaction that they have threatened legal action against anyone who says differently.
Further they have “given” £1200 to the council.
Ferret thinks, Oh how generous of you Jean and Gordon giving our money away.
Did you forget you had already claimed to have donated some money to the Air ambulance?
Not only that, a “contract” has now suddenly surfaced just before the meeting to the surprise of everyone, especially Alan Draper, who only that same day had informed a member of the public that there wasn’t one.
When he was asked about the discrepancy, he said it had only just appeared that afternoon, given to him by none other than disgraced former chair of the council, Jim Kenyon.
Ferret will let readers draw their own conclusion on that one as the Clerk of the Council would have to have been involved in the formalising of any contract for the Town Council.
The Eccles have withdrawn use of the car park that Jean doesn’t own, but their company does, because of the abuse they have received about it.
So beware, legal action has been threatened to anyone who may challenge their version of events so Ferret will be very careful about what is written about this saga and stick to the truth as always:
- The council was informed that Gordon Eccles had approached them that they could use the Farmers car park. (Confirmed by the former chair Jim Kenyon)
- The Councillors were informed that the clear up would cost £500.
- The car park was not only cleared but fenced off as well.
- The cost was actually over £5000 and the councillors were not informed of this change or approved it before the work was done.
- The car park was supposed to be free to use.
- The Eccles charged for it from its first day of use.
- Money was repaid by the Eccles to the Council only after a public outcry.
- The individuals who had been charged did not get their money back
- Jean Eccles has made no mention of repaying the outstanding money of around £3000 that it cost to renovate the car park area.
- Jean Eccles made no mention of their failure to declare a pecuniary interest and act accordingly.
- Jean Eccles made no reference about complying with the Nolan Principles of standards in public office, that Ferret believes have been blown through the window with this and the free waterway clearing they benefitted from at their home from the Town council.
Lastly, freedom of speech is a basic form of democracy in this country, so if the Eccles’ disagree with any of the above not being factual correct, then take whatever action you believe is appropriate.
As Councillor Hardacre said straight afterwards: “There was a comment on Social Media that said Hemsworth Town Council and certain councillors were duped – AND WE HAVE.”
Hemsworth Town Council Meeting Part 2: Diversion Distraction Desperation and Threats.
The Lies Continue.
More on this meeting to Follow
After the frosty reaction the former chair gave the Town Clerk after he let the public know that the former chair Councillor Kenyon had pushed the said email in his hand the afternoon of the meeting we can only imagine the frosty reaction the Town Clerk got after the meeting.The Town Clerk is responsible for all correspondence to do with HTC business and it appeared from his action and speech to the public he wasn’t going to take the public flack and blame for this one and finally and hopefully will put the parishioners first again and do his duty as a Town Clerk and represent what is right and correct in his serving role.Time now for the community to come first and to do this we need the HTC to be run by true community councillors and that is down to the parishioners and our VOTES.