Welcome to the Beer Parish Council website
This site aims to provide you with information about the work of the Parish Council and Beer generally. It will direct you to links to other websites for further information.
CO-OPTION PROCESS
In light of comments raised by a member of the public at the January meeting, the Parish Council would like to clarify historic and recent electoral matters. If local residents have any further queries or are interested in applying for one of the three current casual vacancies, please contact the Clerk direct or speak to an existing Parish Councillor.
Beer Parish Council held elections in 2015 and 2019. On both occasions, there were insufficient candidates to prompt a “contested” election so those nominated were elected “uncontested” but nonetheless held the status of “elected members of the council”. The remaining vacancies were filled by co-option.
Beer Parish Council received a resignation in October 21 and EDDC (as the Principal Authority) was informed of this casual vacancy. The established procedure then ensued whereby public notice was given of the vacancy and the local electorate had 14 days in which 10 persons could contact EDDC to request a by-election. EDDC notified BPC that a by-election was not requested and co-option took place for this vacancy at the Parish Council meeting on 12 January 22. There were FOUR applicants and a ballot took place whereby those cllrs present at the meeting were able to vote for ONE of the FOUR applicants. James Green received the majority of votes and was duly elected.
Beer Parish Council received three resignations in November 21 and EDDC was informed of the casual vacancies. The established procedure then ensued whereby public notice was given of the vacancies and the local electorate had 14 days in which 10 persons could contact EDDC to request a by-election. There was a delay hearing from EDDC regarding the need for a by-election – partly due to the Christmas break and partly due to covid related absence of EDDC electoral services staff. BPC has now heard that there is no need for a by-election and the remaining three casual vacancies can be co-opted at the Feb 22 meeting. Previous applicants can re-apply.
BEER ASSET TRANSFER
Beer Parish Council has been negotiating with EDDC throughout the last 5 years for the transfer of key community assets.
PARISH MEETING
With regret the Parish Council has decided to postpone the planned Parish Meeting scheduled to provide a forum for an open discussion about the asset transfer proposals (previously scheduled for Wednesday 27 October). The council is keen that the revised draft Heads of Terms for the asset transfer are made available to the public in advance of the Parish Meeting. Unfortunately, the Heads of Terms are still under negotiation with EDDC officers and the council has decided that the Parish Meeting should be postponed until the document is approved by EDDC officers.
Arrangements for all Parish Council meetings may be subject to change in accordance with the Covid status in the local area. The council will always abide by Mariners' Hall protocol and government guidance regarding the pandemic.
WHY HOLD AN ADDITIONAL PARISH MEETING?
The Parish Council has decided to organise an additional Parish Meeting this year to enable further debate and discussion regarding the asset transfer proposals. Although the meeting will be chaired by the Chairman of the Council, it is not an ordinary Parish Council meeting and all of the local government electors for the parish are invited to attend and have their say. At the Parish Meeting the Parish Council will provide an overview of asset transfer negotiations to date and also present the revised draft Heads of Terms document. EDDC officers and the EDDC Portfolio Holder for Assets will also be in attendance to provide further explanation as necessary and to answer questions. The local group, the “Friends of Beer” has also been invited to make a presentation at the meeting. After the presentations, the Parish Meeting will include an open forum to enable ALL members of the electorate to ask questions and express their views regarding the asset transfer. Although the Parish Council carried out a public consultation exercise in January 2021, the Parish Meeting will provide a further indicator of the level of public support for the asset transfer proposals.
The public notice and the agenda for the Parish Meeting will be published on the Parish Council’s noticeboard, Face Book page and website 7 clear days in advance of the meeting.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
In December 2020, the Parish Council commenced a period of public consultation to provide local people with an opportunity to share their views and suggestions regarding the asset transfer proposals. Details of the consultation process and results are presented below.
CONSULTATION REPORT
Please click on this link to access the full Consultation Document which provides background to the proposals and financial information.
The draft consultation report was presented to the Parish Council meeting on 2 February and is available via this link Consultation Report
The Executive Summary of the Consultation Report was presented to the Parish Council meeting on 2 March including recommendations for approval and is available via this link Executive Summary
FURTHER INFORMATION & FINANCIALS
The DRAFT Heads of Terms for the asset transfer is available via this link DRAFT Heads of Terms
An Asset Transfer Report was presented to the Parish Council meeting on 2 March and is available via this link Asset Transfer Report