Parish council quits over backlash after it claimed man’s voluntary clear-up was ‘criminal damage’

21 comments

1. > He went to Church Road and cut back the hedges and strimmed the grass and weeds.

   > But within 10 minutes of posting that he had completed the work, a council member commented on his social media post to tell him he had broken the law and that the act was criminal damage.

   > Later, on June 11, Cumbria Police received a report of verges being cut.

   > It led villagers to criticise the parish council, and it emerged that all seven members resigned on June 20 because of the backlash to police being called in.

   > Cumbria Police said it had received two reports about the grass cutting, but no further action would be taken as it was a civil matter.

   > In a statement posted on the parish council website said “As of June 20, and following an orchestrated campaign of bullying and abuse, both online and in person, against the members of the parish council and the clerk, Broughton Moor no longer has a parish council.

   > “All future plans for improvements for the village have been cancelled and the community centre has been closed.

2. What a group of small-minded bullies. I know that’s par for the course in terms of parish councils but my god what a pathetic lot.

3. It’s terrifying how much power sits in these low level councils. A colleague Sat on his village council and left because he said they spent two hours each meeting discussing what expenses they could claim that month

4. I thought this was going to be someone cutting down a wildflower patch or something, but no it’s just overgrown plants blocking a pavement.

   I can’t believe two people felt he need to report this to the police rather than just thanking him for caring about the local community.

5. It’s a blow for bio-diversity. The long grass and weeds are good for insects etc.

   What was the hedge dividing? Did the hedge cutter consider nesting birds. You cannot trim hedges around farm land, market gardens, allotments etc for six months from March to end August.

   Although calling it criminal damage is a bit strong. If applicable Defra will educate the hedge trimmer.

6. This must be what’s left of David Cameron’s big society, where we’re all meant to chip in and help out so that councils can have their funding slashed?

   First time I’ve ever seen anyone do anything remotely like that and they get reported to the police!

7. I’m in a local litter picking group and we go out most Saturdays for an hour or two and pick up litter. Just off the streets and pavements, not on private land obv. Most people – 99% – are very grateful but you do get the odd one who comes up to me aggressively and says things like “what do you think you’re doing? Who gave you permission to do this?, I’m reporting you to the council”. Stuff like that.

   Some ppl are just looking for a fight. I blank em, I don’t even look at them. I completely ignore them and then they usually fuck off, presumably to pick a fight with someone else.

8. Sounds like quitting was the best thing that parish council could do, hopefully some decent people will form a new community group.

9. Firstly, what a lovely and kind act by that young man. Very generous and community-minded thing to do given that took him over six hours of his own time.

   Reporting such a nice action to the police is beneath contempt in my opinion. It is absolutely not a criminal matter and it’s mad that they would think it is. How detached from the world people can be? 

   Finally, the utter pettiness of that resignation statement from the former parish Council members is hard to believe. What mean, unpleasant, and vindictive people they all are. Awful. 

10. WTAF?

    I want one of those idiots to actually sit down and explain how the hell they can call that criminal damage and how the hell they can justify their behaviour.

11. There must be a better system to govern than local councillors, that obviously includes democracy.

12. Is there absolutely anything that anyone can find to support the parish councils actions or is this a rare case of they’ve actually dropped a bollock?

13. [deleted]

14. Well I think we know of at least one replacement councillor:)

15. I commend all persons to send a letter to Alan Myers thanking him for his contribution to civilised life.
    As I do not know his address, may I by proxy send it via this reddit page.
    Thank You Alan.

16. Let the Parish minutes show: ‘Nobody actually gives a shit. Fuck off and don’t come back. And as your judgement has been shown to be questionable we shall undertake an Audit of expenses over the last 5 years.’

17. Utter madness.

    There’s an old guy round here that mows the grass area behind some of the houses. He does it off his own back and uses his own mower etc.; mostly doing it in the evenings or at the weekend.
    I think he just likes to keep busy and he chats to all his mates passing by on the footpaths.

    He doesn’t have to do it; it should be the council cutting grass if anyone is gonna do it. But I hope nobody complains because it’s one of the few things where you see someone actually helping their community out. It should be praised and encouraged more tbh, that sort of thing.

18. I feel like we need a Jackie Weaver comeback to set this lot straight.

19. “Hopefully, the village will recognise what it has lost.”

    Seems that they’ve lost 7 petulant adults (children) with a serious case of Walter Mitty syndrome.

20. They should quit for not getting it sorted out themselves.

21. >In a statement posted on the parish council website said “As of June 20, and following an orchestrated campaign of bullying and abuse, both online and in person, against the members of the parish council and the clerk, Broughton Moor no longer has a parish council.

    >“All future plans for improvements for the village have been cancelled and the community centre has been closed.

    >“Cumberland council has been informed and will now assume responsibility for the governance of the village.

    >“It is almost certain that the diocese of Carlisle will not now gift the church building to the community, something which the parish council had fought hard to achieve.

    >**“Hopefully, the village will recognise what it has lost.”**

    What disgusting, spiteful little trolls. Turns out this unrelated altruisic action by an autisic person did in fact drain the swamp.