‘Integrity’ sees councillor leave

A councillor has resigned from Holbeach Parish Council over the behaviour of its members.

Coun Mark Murfet said his ‘integrity was worth more to him more than accepting such behaviour’ after leaving the authority.
Holbeach Parish Council was due to meet last week, but it had to be postponed due to a lack of numbers.
It’s meant to have 18 members but currently only has 10, with The Voice understanding one of those is not available for a lengthy period.
It needs a third (six members) to be quorate.
A spokesman for the council said last week’s meeting had been cancelled due to the number of apologies received.
He said: “I feel very privileged to have represented the parishioners and work collaboratively to improve the functionality of the council and I have always maintained a level of professionalism and adhered to the Nolan principles.
“However there are some that do not value the Nolan principles and some of the language and behaviours at times are just not acceptable or warranted.”
The Nolan principles, also known as ‘The Seven Principles of Public Life’ are guidance to councillors which say they should act with selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
“I have always tried my best to deliver for the people of Holbeach,” Mr Murfet continued. “But even with all my efforts, the lack of an effective arbitration system that will hold people to account and ensure that the principles are followed and adhered to does not work in local government at parish level.
“As a parish council that should have 18 councillors I believe it speaks volumes that we only have nine people in the whole of one of the largest parishes by area in the country, that are willing to try to support and represent the parishioners.
“The staff at Holbeach do a phenomenal job as do the majority of the councillors and I wish them all well in trying to continue to drive the change at HPC and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with and for them, however, my integrity is worth more to me than accepting such behaviour and not having a recourse to action change.“
The Voice contacted Holbeach Parish Council for a comment.
The chair Coun Clive Turner also declined to comment and was one of those unable to attend last week’s meeting due to personal reasons.