William Eichler 30 March 2022

Jackie Weaver did not have the ‘authority’ to mute and eject councillors

Jackie Weaver did not have the ‘authority’ to mute and eject councillors image
Image: YouTube/Handforth Parish Council meeting.

Jackie Weaver did not have the ‘authority’ to mute and eject councillors from the online parish council meeting that went viral during lockdown, an investigation has concluded.

The chief officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils became an internet star after she muted the chairman who challenged her ‘authority’ in an aggressive manner.

The chairman was subsequently ejected from the meeting.

A report investigating Handforth Parish Council has concluded that although it understood Ms. Weaver’s actions, she did not have the authority to mute and virtually eject councillors.

In response, Ms. Weaver told LocalGov: ‘I said at the point at which the meeting began I was not clerk and I was not the proper officer I was facilitating the meeting on behalf of the 2 councillors that had properly called it.

‘The report says my actions were “without formal footing” which I totally agree with – there were no Standing Orders dealing with virtual meetings nor any specific legislation about their conduct.

‘I am still of the view that I did not remove the three councillors from the meeting but put them on hold as it were and the meeting when it formally began resolved to remove them. That was not in effect my decision.’

She added: ‘And please don’t lets forget – that no officer should be treated in the way that one councillor in particular acted and who was not condemned for his actions by the other two. To this day they remain unrepentant.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

North Northamptonshire Council
£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recuriter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Capital Delivery Manager

South Wales Trunk Road Agent
£50,788 - £52,805
To be responsible for the implementation of Welsh Government’s Renewal and Upgrade programme. Baglan, Port Talbot
Recuriter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Senior Engineer x 2

Hounslow London Borough Council
£47,532 –£55,620 per annum
Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recuriter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI ChelmsfordFixed Term, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 Per Annum, Full Time EquivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Head of SEN Assessment & Resolution

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£77136 - £88230 per annum
Shape a fairer future for children with special educational needs.As Head of SEN Assessment and Resolution at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chel England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Linkedin Banner