I BELIEVE I’m right in saying that no Southwick parish councillor has been voted into post by its parishioners for the past 30 years. At the last elections in May 2013 the number of nominations were less than the number of vacancies so no election took place and all the nominees were duly elected. I understand that has been the recurring situation for as long as parishioners can remember.
If a parish council position becomes available, in between the four-yearly elections, then the parish council advertises the post and invites applications from the parishioners. The applicant/applicants are interviewed and then the parish council takes a vote on who they want to co-opt into the position. If they don’t want a particular applicant they don’t have to co-opt or give a reason. They are entitled to do this under the existing rules and this is how/why some parish councils get the reputation for or give the impression of being a ‘private members’ club’. 
I witnessed a situation with Southwick Parish Council last year where a vacancy arose and two applicants applied. They were both invited to be interviewed. One applicant attended on time and was interviewed. The other applicant did not attend as arranged and had no further communication with the parish council. At the following parish council meeting a vote was taken and the applicant, who hadn’t bothered to attend or be interviewed, got the most votes. As he wasn’t present, and he couldn’t accept, the parish council decided not to co-opt anyone for the vacant post.
In my opinion, the applicant who did take the trouble to attend and be interviewed, is a well-respected, professional and outspoken member of the parish. Obviously the majority of the parish council saw this applicant as unsuitable or perhaps a threat. Whatever their reason was they didn’t have the courtesy to inform the applicant why they felt he wasn’t suitable or thank him for applying. This, they suggest, is because they don’t have to but I don’t see this as an excuse for bad manners.
It is time for the parishioners of Southwick to become more active and fight to get the parish council they need and deserve. If I get the opportunity at this coming May 2017 election I know who I won’t be voting for.
Before anyone comments on it, yes I would stand but considering my age and failing memory it wouldn’t be fair to do so, besides I feel we need a younger and more active parish council that will look more to the future.
If we are complacent then we deserve all we get. Stand up for our village by joining the Southwick Residents Association which is in the process of being set up now. Watch out for flyers or email – southwickresidentsassociation@gmail.com – for more information.
Bill Johnson
Blind Lane
Southwick