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

Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term Time

Essex County Council
£25821.00 - £30377.00 per annum + + Pension
Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term TimePermanent, Part Time£30,377 per annum, full time equivalent / equal to £15.74 per hour.Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Urban Design Intern

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Assistant Urban Design InternFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - Safeguarding Team

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - ASC Centralised Safeguarding TeamFixed Term, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Financial Strategy Manager (Revenue)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we invest in our borough's future.Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we inves England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Team Manager - Locality

Wakefield Council
£55,979.00, Grade 13
Wakefield Children’s Services have been rated by Ofsted as GOOD with outstanding leadership. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner