Jon Cousins, one of Glastonbury's Green Party Town Councillors, wrote to say that he liked the book 'Free State' but was upset about its verdict on the Green Party Town Councillors: "As yet they have made no dramatic difference to the Town's governance, nevertheless there is some significance just in them being there." Jon then added a long list of all the things that he has achieved:
Good Governance:
Whistle-blowing the Overspend on the Town Hall Alterations [2011]
On discovering the disabled access project was £86,000 over budget, I publicly exposed the overspend at a full council meeting; voicing my deep concern over the Project Management, and calling for all work to stop on the alterations until the project was investigated.
[Front page of the Central Somerset Gazette, 13th October 2011]
Amending Rules on the Council remuneratively employing Councillors [2012]
I instigated a new Standing Order, unanimously approved, which states that the Town Council can no longer remuneratively employ elected members.
Removal of the Unlawful Process for the Election of Glastonbury Mayor [2012]
Researched the legality of Standing Order 75 [the Council’s procedure by which the Mayor of Glastonbury is elected], and - once I had established with the National Association of Local Councils that it was both undemocratic and unlawful - I Seconded the motion to remove the Standing Order 75 ... which, since it was unlawful, was carried unanimously.
Remittance of Fees for the Town Hall [2012]
On discovering there was no formal process or procedure for the remittance of fees for the hire of the Town Hall, annually granted by the Council ... At the request of the Mayor, I ‘formalised’ a fair, open, and transparent process, establishing a set of criteria, designing an application form, and a grant awarding procedure for both the full and partial remittance of fees.
Chairman Training [2012]
For the benefit of all the Glastonbury Councillors, I instigated a session of ‘Chairman training’ with Pater Lacey of the National Association of Local Councils.
Appropriateness of Glastonbury Town Council’s Heraldic Device [2013/14]
In 2011, research into the number of different faiths and spiritual paths in Glastonbury indicated that the Town had over 70 different religious, spiritual, and faith based groups practicing in the town (including those who follow no religion and who are atheists).
The religious and spiritual diversity of Glastonbury was reflected in the 2011 census results, which showed that 47.1 % of Glastonbury's community – around 4,200 people – are not Christian!
Of the 52.9 % who are Christians, this number includes the members of all the Christian denominations – not just Church of England Anglicans, but a significant number of Roman Catholics, a large Free Church congregation, United Reformed, and Methodists – as well as other minority Christian creeds.
With this diversity in mind, I asked my fellow Councillors to consider the appropriateness of the Town Council’s civic heraldry. The shield features a Bishop’s mitre and ‘crossed crosiers’ with the motto – “Floreat Ecclesia Anglicana” – which means ‘Let the Church of England Flourish’…
As Town Councillors, we have a statutory duty to represent everyone. This duty is defined as the General Duty of the Equality Act 2010. Therefore, I questioned the appropriateness of a civic heraldry that is clearly prejudiced toward one religion – especially in a town with so many different faiths!
[Front page of the Central Somerset Gazette, 21st March 2013 + and many column inches since…]
This resulted in the establishment of a Heraldry Working Group, which spent six months reviewing the subject. I sat on the working group and chaired three of its meetings. The findings of the group were presented in a report to the Town Council, which concluded that the current coat of arms was not only unrepresentative of the whole community, but also unlawful on two counts. 1) it had never been granted by the College of Arms; 2) its ‘Crest’ – being a Royal coat-of-arms – was used without permission of the Queen, and therefore an offence to the Monarchy …
The Working Group recommended change through a consultation process to establish what the people of Glastonbury would like to see on the Town’s shield, and what our motto should be.
These recommendations were not accepted by the full Council …
Equalities Motion [2014]
After I had identified that Glastonbury Town Council’s Equalities Statement did not include ‘Religion’, I supported a motion that reaffirmed the Town Council’s commitment to represent the whole community, and not to discriminate with regard to the ‘protected characteristic’ of the Equalities Act 2010.
Community:
Stone Circle at Northover Park [2011]
I oversaw the design and erection of the Stone Circle in Northover Jubilee Park, based on the ‘Squared Circle’ foundation pattern of the Temple of New Jerusalem, as described by St. John the Divine in Patmos 95 AD; detailed by John Michell in City of Revelation [1971] – which was the original foundation pattern of Glastonbury Abbey’s first ‘wattle-and-daub’ Church.
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations [2012]
I was part of the Town’s ‘Diamond Jubilee’ committee, helping to organise the events scheduled in Glastonbury to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.
Environmental and Green Issues:
Renewable Energy and Solar Panels for the Town Hall [2011]
I instigated - and was a member of - the Town Hall’s Renewable Energy Working Group, which researched the options available to the Council to improve their environmental impact and reduce the energy requirements of the Town Hall. This group advised the installation of Solar Panels on the Town Hall roof, and these were subsequently installed.
Removal of the Wi-Fi Mast [2011]
I actively encouraged the return of the contentious ‘Wi-Fi mast’ item to the Town Council’s agenda, and pushed for – and supported the successful motion for – the removal of the Wi-Fi mast from the Town Hall.
Glastonbury’s ‘Green Charter’ [2012]
Seconded the unanimously successful motion for the adoption of Glastonbury’s new Charter for the Environment [the ‘Green’ Charter]. I also designed and produced the Charter parchment, to be signed by the Mayor on Monday 4th June 2012, during the Jubilee Celebrations.
Taking a stand on wider issues that have an effect on Glastonbury:
Stop Hinkley [2011]
Together with all my fellow Green Party Glastonbury Town Councillors, I have been an active ‘direct action’ demonstrator and protestor against the EDF new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point [Hinkley C].
Fracking Report [2011]
Attending a meeting at St. Edmund’s Hall on the negative impact of Hydraulic Fracturing [a.k.a. ‘Fracking’], I produced a report on Fracking for the Town Council.
Anti-Fracking Motion [2013]
As a result of my report to the Town Council, I co-wrote and seconded a motion opposing Hydraulic Fracturing [a.k.a. ‘Fracking’] in the Mendips (and in the UK). This motion was passed, though not unanimously. The vote was recorded, and the results available from the Town Clerk.
Hinkley C Public Meeting [2013/14]
I supported the Town Council’s lobby to EDF to attend a public meeting in Glastonbury about their new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point [Hinkley C]., This lobby eventually resulting in EDF sending a representative to a full council meeting to answer questions from both the public and councillors.
Anti-Nuclear Motion [2014]
I supported this motion by my fellow Green Town Councillors Denise Michell and Alyson Black – resulting in Glastonbury Town Council sending a letter to all other Somerset Councils encouraging them to join Glastonbury in opposing the development of the EDF new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point [Hinkley C].
Good Governance:
Whistle-blowing the Overspend on the Town Hall Alterations [2011]
On discovering the disabled access project was £86,000 over budget, I publicly exposed the overspend at a full council meeting; voicing my deep concern over the Project Management, and calling for all work to stop on the alterations until the project was investigated.
[Front page of the Central Somerset Gazette, 13th October 2011]
Amending Rules on the Council remuneratively employing Councillors [2012]
I instigated a new Standing Order, unanimously approved, which states that the Town Council can no longer remuneratively employ elected members.
Removal of the Unlawful Process for the Election of Glastonbury Mayor [2012]
Researched the legality of Standing Order 75 [the Council’s procedure by which the Mayor of Glastonbury is elected], and - once I had established with the National Association of Local Councils that it was both undemocratic and unlawful - I Seconded the motion to remove the Standing Order 75 ... which, since it was unlawful, was carried unanimously.
Remittance of Fees for the Town Hall [2012]
On discovering there was no formal process or procedure for the remittance of fees for the hire of the Town Hall, annually granted by the Council ... At the request of the Mayor, I ‘formalised’ a fair, open, and transparent process, establishing a set of criteria, designing an application form, and a grant awarding procedure for both the full and partial remittance of fees.
Chairman Training [2012]
For the benefit of all the Glastonbury Councillors, I instigated a session of ‘Chairman training’ with Pater Lacey of the National Association of Local Councils.
Appropriateness of Glastonbury Town Council’s Heraldic Device [2013/14]
In 2011, research into the number of different faiths and spiritual paths in Glastonbury indicated that the Town had over 70 different religious, spiritual, and faith based groups practicing in the town (including those who follow no religion and who are atheists).
The religious and spiritual diversity of Glastonbury was reflected in the 2011 census results, which showed that 47.1 % of Glastonbury's community – around 4,200 people – are not Christian!
Of the 52.9 % who are Christians, this number includes the members of all the Christian denominations – not just Church of England Anglicans, but a significant number of Roman Catholics, a large Free Church congregation, United Reformed, and Methodists – as well as other minority Christian creeds.
With this diversity in mind, I asked my fellow Councillors to consider the appropriateness of the Town Council’s civic heraldry. The shield features a Bishop’s mitre and ‘crossed crosiers’ with the motto – “Floreat Ecclesia Anglicana” – which means ‘Let the Church of England Flourish’…
As Town Councillors, we have a statutory duty to represent everyone. This duty is defined as the General Duty of the Equality Act 2010. Therefore, I questioned the appropriateness of a civic heraldry that is clearly prejudiced toward one religion – especially in a town with so many different faiths!
[Front page of the Central Somerset Gazette, 21st March 2013 + and many column inches since…]
This resulted in the establishment of a Heraldry Working Group, which spent six months reviewing the subject. I sat on the working group and chaired three of its meetings. The findings of the group were presented in a report to the Town Council, which concluded that the current coat of arms was not only unrepresentative of the whole community, but also unlawful on two counts. 1) it had never been granted by the College of Arms; 2) its ‘Crest’ – being a Royal coat-of-arms – was used without permission of the Queen, and therefore an offence to the Monarchy …
The Working Group recommended change through a consultation process to establish what the people of Glastonbury would like to see on the Town’s shield, and what our motto should be.
These recommendations were not accepted by the full Council …
Equalities Motion [2014]
After I had identified that Glastonbury Town Council’s Equalities Statement did not include ‘Religion’, I supported a motion that reaffirmed the Town Council’s commitment to represent the whole community, and not to discriminate with regard to the ‘protected characteristic’ of the Equalities Act 2010.
Community:
Stone Circle at Northover Park [2011]
I oversaw the design and erection of the Stone Circle in Northover Jubilee Park, based on the ‘Squared Circle’ foundation pattern of the Temple of New Jerusalem, as described by St. John the Divine in Patmos 95 AD; detailed by John Michell in City of Revelation [1971] – which was the original foundation pattern of Glastonbury Abbey’s first ‘wattle-and-daub’ Church.
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations [2012]
I was part of the Town’s ‘Diamond Jubilee’ committee, helping to organise the events scheduled in Glastonbury to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.
Environmental and Green Issues:
Renewable Energy and Solar Panels for the Town Hall [2011]
I instigated - and was a member of - the Town Hall’s Renewable Energy Working Group, which researched the options available to the Council to improve their environmental impact and reduce the energy requirements of the Town Hall. This group advised the installation of Solar Panels on the Town Hall roof, and these were subsequently installed.
Removal of the Wi-Fi Mast [2011]
I actively encouraged the return of the contentious ‘Wi-Fi mast’ item to the Town Council’s agenda, and pushed for – and supported the successful motion for – the removal of the Wi-Fi mast from the Town Hall.
Glastonbury’s ‘Green Charter’ [2012]
Seconded the unanimously successful motion for the adoption of Glastonbury’s new Charter for the Environment [the ‘Green’ Charter]. I also designed and produced the Charter parchment, to be signed by the Mayor on Monday 4th June 2012, during the Jubilee Celebrations.
Taking a stand on wider issues that have an effect on Glastonbury:
Stop Hinkley [2011]
Together with all my fellow Green Party Glastonbury Town Councillors, I have been an active ‘direct action’ demonstrator and protestor against the EDF new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point [Hinkley C].
Fracking Report [2011]
Attending a meeting at St. Edmund’s Hall on the negative impact of Hydraulic Fracturing [a.k.a. ‘Fracking’], I produced a report on Fracking for the Town Council.
Anti-Fracking Motion [2013]
As a result of my report to the Town Council, I co-wrote and seconded a motion opposing Hydraulic Fracturing [a.k.a. ‘Fracking’] in the Mendips (and in the UK). This motion was passed, though not unanimously. The vote was recorded, and the results available from the Town Clerk.
Hinkley C Public Meeting [2013/14]
I supported the Town Council’s lobby to EDF to attend a public meeting in Glastonbury about their new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point [Hinkley C]., This lobby eventually resulting in EDF sending a representative to a full council meeting to answer questions from both the public and councillors.
Anti-Nuclear Motion [2014]
I supported this motion by my fellow Green Town Councillors Denise Michell and Alyson Black – resulting in Glastonbury Town Council sending a letter to all other Somerset Councils encouraging them to join Glastonbury in opposing the development of the EDF new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point [Hinkley C].
RSS Feed
