Parish council could be disbanded after poll

Newby and Scalby Community Hub and council offices

A parish council could be disbanded after a vote overwhelmingly supported its dissolution amid allegations of bullying and "misbehaviour".

A poll for Newby and Scalby Council near Scarborough on Friday found nearly 97% of voters supported the motion that the council be dissolved and new councillors be elected.

It came after a vote of no confidence from dozens of concerned residents.

However, the turnout was only 7% of the electorate of 8,000 people, and only 19 of them voted against the motion.

Not legally binding

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that the poll result was not legally binding, while the council agreed it “does not have the power to force resignation or removal” of the councillors, whose term is set to run until 2027.

Friends of Newby and Scalby Wellbeing Group initially proposed the poll after raising concerns about local parish council services.

Allegations of bullying have also been made against staff.

A council spokesperson said that following the "very poor turnout" of voters the action group - who are thought to have leafleted "every household in Newby and Scalby” - must be "disappointed".

Reg Towse, the former chair of the council who organised the Friends Wellbeing Group, said he believed the council's position is "untenable".

"The council received 19 votes in total; bearing in mind there are 13 councillors, this is a humiliating figure," he said.

"I would expect the council to do the right thing by its community and leave."

Mr Towse said the community wanted a council which communicated with and cared about the people it served, and said councillors should not reduce the number of meetings, limit public forums, and withdraw wellbeing services.

It has not been decided whether members of the council will resign or not.

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