West Berkshire cavalry to the rescue as Hermitage faces coup

West Berkshire Council has sent in the cavalry to rescue Hermitage Parish Council after more than half of its members resigned.

Elections for new people to serve in Hermitage will be held after the mass walk out left just three parish councillors – with four the minimum its constitution requires to be able to formally hold meetings or make decisions.

Where this happens, legislation allows district councils to step in and appoint enough parish councillors for it to continue to operate.

Over the past few days West Berkshire Council has been working with the clerk of Hermitage Parish Council and is proposing to temporarily appoint West Berkshire councillors Paul Dick and Heather Codling to the parish council.

This is set to be to be considered at an extraordinary meeting of West Berkshire Council tomorrow (Thursday, September 11).

This arrangement will remain in place until an election for parish councillors can be held – or otherwise for a councillor to be co-opted onto the council.

“Parish councils play an important role in supporting their local communities,” said Jeff Brooks (Lib Dem, Thatcham West), leader of West Berkshire Council.

“It’s important they can hold meetings, make decisions and address the issues which matter most to their residents.

“The action we are taking here will allow this important work to continue in Hermitage and I’m grateful to all who have been working to make it happen over the past few days.”

Seven councillors resigned, saying their frustration with “not being able to do anything” was the main reason, with ‘new’ councillors clashing with the old guard.

“The village has changed and what people want is different to the ‘old days’,” said Ian Govier, one of those who has resigned.

“We need to be transparent and open to opinions of our residents.”

Mr Govier said that new candidates were around, and that he would be checking in on the meeting tomorrow (Thursday).

The clerk and the chairman of Hermitage Parish Council have been approached for comment.