A parish council split by acrimonious disputes is not serving the interests of villagers, according to a leaked letter.
The entire parish council at Weston-on-the-Green, near Bicester, was ordered to seek mediation earlier this year after years of bitter arguments over the village's playing field.
But now councillors look likely to miss the deadline imposed by the Standards Board for England - despite being told to sort out their differences more than 10 months ago.
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The order came in February following a string of abandoned council meetings, official complaints and formal investigations.
A letter written by Cherwell District Council monitoring officer Liz Howlett to the Standards Board, and seen by the Oxford Mail, said: "It remains my concern that the Weston-on-the-Green Parish Council is not, at present, serving the interests of its parishioners and I am keen for this to be resolved as quickly as possible."
The row began several years ago over plans to refurbish the village playing field.
Some villagers wanted to use volunteers but others said the work should be carried out by professionals.
Parish councillor Robin Stafford Allen, 57, said: "I can't see the mediation will solve any problems.
"You can't get people to change their spots.
"There will be continuing acrimony until we have some new elections."
Posted by: Kevan Barnhill, Weston On The Green on 9:03pm Mon 7 Jan 08
So it's official! Weston PC is a shambles...A lot of people have been saying this for a long time. "Not... serving the interests of its parishioners". A pretty damning indictement, coming from such a source. Its high time the dead wood was cleared away...as a wise man once said, "There's no fool like an old fool".
So it's official! Weston PC is a shambles...A lot of people have been saying this for a long time. "Not... serving the interests of its parishioners". A pretty damning indictement, coming from such a source. Its high time the dead wood was cleared away...as a wise man once said, "There's no fool like an old fool".
Posted by: Robin Stafford Allen, Weston on 9:36am Tue 8 Jan 08
It is a shame but a group on this Parish Council actually threatened to resign if mediation was required of them. This same group is saying it is 'content' to comply whilst employing delaying tactics, in my view. Fairly despicable.
It is a great shame that the people of weston cannot bring down this council, of which I am a part, by a vote of no-confidence.
Robin...
It is a shame but a group on this Parish Council actually threatened to resign if mediation was required of them. This same group is saying it is 'content' to comply whilst employing delaying tactics, in my view. Fairly despicable.
It is a great shame that the people of weston cannot bring down this council, of which I am a part, by a vote of no-confidence.
Robin...
Posted by: fed up with Robin.., weston on 12:13pm Sun 20 Jan 08
Hey Robin, why don't you resign, and see if the village is served better then? And why not take your little bully boy Barnhill and go and pester another village? I saw the way Barnhill acted at the big breakfast before Xmas.. swearing and trying to physically intimidate an OAP..Well tell him, I think he should try it with someone his own age... seems like the young fool is more stupid than an old one...
Hey Robin, why don't you resign, and see if the village is served better then? And why not take your little bully boy Barnhill and go and pester another village? I saw the way Barnhill acted at the big breakfast before Xmas.. swearing and trying to physically intimidate an OAP..Well tell him, I think he should try it with someone his own age... seems like the young fool is more stupid than an old one...
Posted by: Kevan Barnhill, Weston On The Green on 4:46pm Sun 20 Jan 08
So, here we are again...another individual that is to much of a coward and a liar to put his name to his words. Let me just say this, there were two people present at the incident discussed. I know what was said, and by whom...and I can stand publically with nothing to hide. It's not me who is to ashamed to put my name to my words.
So, here we are again...another individual that is to much of a coward and a liar to put his name to his words. Let me just say this, there were two people present at the incident discussed. I know what was said, and by whom...and I can stand publically with nothing to hide. It's not me who is to ashamed to put my name to my words.
Posted by: robin stafford allen on 8:23pm Mon 21 Jan 08
To fed up with Robin....
1) I took an oath of office that means I should work for the benefit of the village. To resign would leave the way open for the "nasty" little group to destroy the village I am fond of by their despicable actions without any resistance.
2) As to Barnhil being a bully, the confounded rudness of John Roper in turning up at teh Big Breakfast, complaining loudly about the prices like the spoilt brat that he is, and then not supporting the charity of the event by not buying ANYTHING --- That is an example of exactly how not to behave.
3) Kevan Barnhill is a man of great integrity and am please to number him amongst my friends.
Robin...
To fed up with Robin....
1) I took an oath of office that means I should work for the benefit of the village. To resign would leave the way open for the "nasty" little group to destroy the village I am fond of by their despicable actions without any resistance.
2) As to Barnhil being a bully, the confounded rudness of John Roper in turning up at teh Big Breakfast, complaining loudly about the prices like the spoilt brat that he is, and then not supporting the charity of the event by not buying ANYTHING --- That is an example of exactly how not to behave.
3) Kevan Barnhill is a man of great integrity and am please to number him amongst my friends.
Posted by: johnmair, weston on the green on 9:15pm Mon 21 Jan 08
fellow villagers
welcome back to john roper ace parish councillor from his'holiday'in Thailand.Good to have his wife back.
Shame he does not take a holiday from the weston PC and also shame he has no courage to name himself
He is John Roper and he lives in Ropeld Church Road right opposite the playing field and playground he so detests.Number in the book.
Don't waste our time john.move on and do something about weston new town
Indeed do something positive.
johnnmair100@hotmail
.com
01869 351167
fellow villagers
welcome back to john roper ace parish councillor from his'holiday'in Thailand.Good to have his wife back.
Shame he does not take a holiday from the weston PC and also shame he has no courage to name himself
He is John Roper and he lives in Ropeld Church Road right opposite the playing field and playground he so detests.Number in the book.
Don't waste our time john.move on and do something about weston new town
Indeed do something positive.
johnnmair100@hotmail
.com
01869 351167
Posted by: Kevan Barnhill, Weston On The Green on 7:26pm Wed 23 Jan 08
A further thought strikes me, on reading through the cowardly 'fed up' lies...Why can't you address the issues in the article? Why is your only response a poor set of lies? There are important issues at stake here, why not address your bile towards them?
A further thought strikes me, on reading through the cowardly 'fed up' lies...Why can't you address the issues in the article? Why is your only response a poor set of lies? There are important issues at stake here, why not address your bile towards them?
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