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Councillor threatens to quit over prayer ban
Nancy Ashcroft
A COUNCILLOR in St Helens threatened to become the first in the country to resign over a High Court ruling banning prayers at council meetings.
The senior councillor on Windle Parish Council told fellow members the ban on traditional prayers could force him to step down.
Windle is the only parish council in the borough to say prayers before its meetings.
Last night was the council’s first meeting since Mr Justice Ouseley ruled prayers were not lawful under section 111 of the Local Government Act.
The official agenda for the meeting included prayers but councillors were set to discuss how to respond to the ruling before the meeting then act accordingly.
Local Government secretary Eric Pickles intervened over the weekend, signing into law new powers allowing councils to act in any way that is lawful for individual citizens.
Deputy chairwoman Nancy Ashcroft said one of her long-standing colleagues - whom she declined to name - had threaten to quit over the original ruling, which she described as “misguided and potentially divisive.I feel very strongly on this issue that Christianity in this country is being side-lined,” she said.
“One of our councillors has told us he will resign if he can’t say prayers before the meeting.”
Coun Ashcroft, who has served on the parish council for 20 years, added: “We’re all Christians and just feel that this is plain wrong. “We’ve got Catholic and Anglicans on the council and it is just a simple prayer asking for God’s help us to serve the people of Windle as best we can.
“I think the ruling by Eric Pickles doesn’t go far enough. He’s sitting on the fence, really, and I’m saying that as a Tory.
Council clerk Len Kilshaw said it was likely prayers would continue but not on the official meeting agenda.
The ruling came after a complaint was brought against Bideford Town Council by the National Secular Society. But it says prayers can be said outside of the formal agenda.
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Weather for St Helens
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South west
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Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
Comments
There are 3 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
JohnDale
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 01:19 PMGood riddance. If anyone is incapable of doing their duty on the council without having some arcane superstitious ritual as part of the meeting, they clearly aren't up to the job. Maybe they should consult an clairvoyant for some alternate career advice.
keithsloan
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 01:17 PMShows how un-intelleigent some Council members are. The council would be better off without them. Hope they do resign - Good ridden's.
GarryOtton
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 01:05 PMA great opportunity to get some young council members. At least they won't expect taxpayers' to foot the bill for their piety.
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