A TOWN councillor who says he was mistakenly disqualified for not attending enough meetings has made further claims about an “unlawful” meeting subsequently being called.

Chris Johnson said an extraordinary general meeting scheduled by Yarm Town Council was to seek approval to spend £1,500 on legal advice over his disqualification.
The town council has not commented on this, but said the meeting had been called in “accordance with proper practice”.

Mr Johnson confirmed he had lodged complaints with Stockton Council’s chief solicitor over the attempts to remove him and the extraordinary general meeting, which he said breached standing orders by not being publicised on the town council’s website three days in advance.

He also said that when the meeting notice was published it stated the public would not be allowed to attend the meeting, when only councillors could decide this and a motion must be passed at the meeting in question.

The Northern Echo: Chris JohnsonChris Johnson

Mr Johnson said: “The bottom line is that the meeting has not been lawfully called.”
He added: “Unless they are proposing to blow £1,500 for no reason, the fact that this meeting has even been called demonstrates that my disqualification has not yet occurred as obviously the council is seeking advice on the matter.”

The council previously said the local businessman had been disqualified under section 85 of the Local Government Act due to “non attendance at council meetings for a continuous six month period”.

Mr Johnson said his attendance at a recent meeting brought him “without any question” just within the six month limit after which he would be disqualified, and as far he was concerned he remained a member of the council.

A spokeswoman for the town council said: “In accordance with proper practice an EGM was called for Yarm Town Council. 

“The agenda was placed on the Town Hall noticeboard and notified on social media – unfortunately there is a problem with publishing new items on our website. 

“It is anticipated that the council will resolve to exclude the press and public for an item on the agenda due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.”

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