Row over plan for ceremony to mark Felpham council's quality status

Parish council chairman Paul English proposed 250 should be spent on a special session for the presentation of its recently-won Quality Council status.

The money will come from the council's contingency budget for an occasion which would be a fitting way to celebrate gaining the sought-after recognition.

It would also enable the many former councillors who had contributed to the award to have their efforts appreciated.

Councillors voted 7-3, with one abstention, to invite the Earl of Lytton, the president of the National Association of Local Councils, to formally present the quality council certificate on a date yet to be arranged.

Council member Mary Harvey said the council should not be spending money unnecessarily when residents' finances were stretched.

Michael Harvey stated: "Being a quality council is not about one event. It's about what we do all year round."

George Stride condemned the quality council scheme as a waste of time.

But David Edwards said the special evening would be a worthwhile occasion.

"We should be shouting as loud as we can about having this status. I believe in this council and I am proud we are a quality council," he commented.

The quality council scheme was started to provide a benchmark of minimum standards for parish and town councils to enable them to better represent their communities.

A series of tests had to be passed by Felpham Parish Council for it to receive the award.

These included showing the council spoke up for residents, had strong links with its community, worked in partnership with other agencies and was effectively managed.

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