WHEN you think of trailblazers, the members of Cotherstone Parish Council may not be the first to spring to mind.
But having become the first parish council to embrace the Zoom platform to continue monthly meetings when Covid-19 struck last year, they came up with another innovative way to ensure business was enacted now the virtual get-togethers are no more.
The Government decreed that legislation which allowed council meetings via Zoom, Teams or any other online platform should come to an end after the local elections – a decision which was upheld when tested in the courts.
However, with Cotherstone’s annual meeting slated for the second Wednesday of the month, it meant it would be held before the further easing of Covid restrictions on Monday, May 17.
So it was decided to convene on East Green – that’s the one with the pretty little brook running through it – and take a chance on the weather.
In 35 years of covering council meetings of all shapes and sizes in dusty chambers and halls on uncomfortable benches, it was quite refreshing to unfold the chair and take my place among the daffodils and birdsong.
And while the sun wasn’t exactly cracking the flags, I have wrapped up warm in many colder rooms when someone has forgotten to put the heating on in the middle of winter.
Taking a brolly – kindly supplied by my colleague David Croom – proved a masterstroke when our little gathering caught the edge of a passing shower, while a larger Parasol umbrella was quickly erected to keep parish clerk Judith Mashiter’s laptop dry.
And so to business. First item was to elect a chairman for the coming year and the incumbent, John Birkett, was duly returned with the minimum of fuss.
The signing of papers in the evening sun offered the perfect photo opportunity.
Next up was the appointment of his number two. Richard Hunter was happy to relinquish the vice-chairman’s post and it came down to a quick discussion between Vince Bendin and Richard Green.
Cllr Bendin was happy to the nomination.
At the start of the meeting, Cotherstone could boast just five parish councillors, with two more needed to make up the numbers.
Five became six when it was unanimously agreed to co-opt Robert Johnson onto the group.
There followed a lengthy discussion between the parish council and members of the group attempting to turn the disused Methodist Chapel into a cafe and heritage centre – details of which are related elsewhere in the paper.
By now the shower had passed and umbrellas safely stored, giving way to a glorious spring evening as business progressed.
It was agreed that meetings would continue on the second Wednesday of the month. The venue of the June meeting remains to be decided – it could be socially distanced in the village hall, or we could be back on East Green again.
It will certainly start outdoors – June is the month of the annual councillors’ walk through the village.
By now, the sun had gone behind the houses and there was a distinct chill in the air.
Remaining annual meeting business was deferred until normal indoor meetings resume and the council’s financial situation was duly noted. And that was that – the minutes will simply record the business of another Cotherstone Parish Council meeting, albeit one held in most unusual circumstances.
