The chair and vice chair of Handforth Parish Council have both stepped down from their roles, as the fallout from the council’s viral video debacle continues.
Chair Cllr Brian Tolver announced his intention to step down from leading the council at its last meeting.
Meanwhile, Cllr Aled Brewerton – who has not attended meetings for the past three months – has quit the council altogether.
Brewerton was the councillor heard bellowing: “Read the standing orders. Read them an understand them!” at Jackie Weaver during the Zoom meeting which propelled the council to national recognition.
He sent his letter of resignation to Cheshire East Council’s monitoring officer David Brown on 14th March.
No reason was given for his resignation.
Cllr Tolver – who was chair of Handforth Parish Council – announced his intention to step down from the chairmanship at the council’s most recent meeting on Tuesday 20th April.
Tolver said it was his original intention to chair the council for one year and then step down, however Covid-19 changed his plans and he remained in the role as the council couldn’t hold its annual meeting in May 2020.
He added that as life returns to normal, he’s taken the decision to stand down but will remain as a councillor for Handforth’s South Ward.
Vacancy
Following Cllr Brewerton’s resignation, there is now a second vacancy in the West Ward (in addition to the one going to the ballot box on 6th May).
The vacancy left by the resignation can be filled either through co-option or through an election.
The latter would only take place if 10 or more electors in the parish give notice to the returning officer within 14 days from today (Wednesday 28th April) excluding weekends and bank holidays.
Any ten voters can submit a written request for an election.
If this happens there will be a period of time for candidates to be nominated. If two or more candidates are nominated there will be an election.
If no request is made, the vacancy will be filled by Handforth Parish Council councillors, who will be at liberty to select who they wish, provided the person qualifies to be a councillor.
Any request for an election to be held to fill the vacancy must be made in writing and sent to:
The Returning Officer, Cheshire East Borough Council, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, CW11 1HZ
