Residents of Longhope, a village in the Forest of Dean, are gearing up for a crucial poll next month to determine whether the remaining members of their parish council should be removed from office. This marks a significant step amidst ongoing turmoil surrounding the council.
At a recent public meeting, 11 out of 40 attendees voted to initiate a formal process aimed at ousting the council’s last three members. The Forest of Dean District Council has confirmed it will oversee the parish poll, scheduled for May 11, as announced on the village notice board.
The Longhope Parish Council has been embroiled in controversy over the past year, with numerous complaints filed concerning breaches of the code of conduct by councillors. More recently, the council itself acknowledged “alleged financial irregularities” within its accounts, which it plans to report to the police after securing approval at the next meeting.
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A letter from Councillors Jacqueline Barker, Clive Williams, and Peter McCoy highlights that even if the poll favors removal, the current councillors may not immediately resign. They emphasized the importance of continuity, stating it would be irresponsible to abandon council duties amidst ongoing investigations and the need to maintain village services.
The letter further explains that the councillors intend to cooperate fully with the police investigations—both into the financial concerns and other unrelated issues—and will decide whether to continue serving once inquiries have concluded.
Complicating matters, the parish council temporarily lost access to vital equipment, including laptops and records, severely limiting its operations. Fortunately, this equipment has reportedly since been recovered.
The council has also faced a high number of vacancies, with four seats unfilled at the time the letter was issued. Officeholders have endured heightened scrutiny, with a district council monitoring officer noting two incidents where councillor conduct might have warranted formal action. However, it was decided that pursuing these cases could further deepen divisions within the community instead of fostering much-needed stability.
As the village prepares for the upcoming poll, Longhope Parish Council has yet to issue a public comment, while district councillors representing the area have declined to speak on the matter.