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‘Ill resign if council bans prayers at meetings’
A LEADING Princes Risborough councillor has threatened to resign if prayers are no longer said before meetings.
The comments follow a High Court ruling, which found that a council in Devon’s saying of prayers was unlawful.
Members of Princes Risborough Town Council observe the Christian practice before the start of each meeting, whilst one member abstains and leaves the circle whilst the prayers are said.
Town councillor Alan Turner said: “I have always made it clear if we were prevented from saying prayers I would resign. As far as I am concerned, it is part of our democratic right. If we wish to say prayers we should be allowed to. They are even said in Parliament.
“We don’t list the prayers on our meeting agenda. We have them after the 10-minute session and before the meeting officially starts.
“Under the new ruling I believe it relates to where the prayers are actually listed as part of the agenda.” Mayor Eunice Clifford said: “I am 100 percent for it. I would not consider banning that prayer whilst I am chairman. It is utterly ridiculous.”
Councillor Reg Orsler, who currently leaves the circle when prayers are read, said: “I just think it was quite interesting actually.
“It seems that it is not a statutory right to do it and you can’t be summoned to a meeting if it (prayers) is on the agenda. I don’t think it is right that the members of the council can enforce something you don’t believe in.
“If you had a political council it would be like saying somebody would have to abide by the Conservative or Labour rules. But I am reserving judgement on it until I have spoken with my fellow parish councillors.”
John Gibbs, chief officer at Buckinghamshire Association of Local Councils, said: “I think it is a matter for each individual council. We will be looking at the ruling and getting advice from our national body.” Eric Pickles, communities and local government secretary, believes the new localism bill will allow councils to ‘logically include prayers before meetings’.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 14 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Muvvers Pride
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 03:11 PMLet's hear it for Cllr Alan Turner and his Barmy Christian Army! God help Jesus if this group are truly representative of the local Christian community. What petty trivial bigoted and prejudiced small town minds they truly seem to own. I can only suggest that AT and BCA remind themselves that our Town, District and County Councils are SECULAR in structure; and that Council meetings concern themselves with local politics and local politics alone. Perhaps AT and BCA can also remind themselves that as Councillors they are bound at all times by Equality legislation. Clearly their prayers disciminate against others present who own a different faith view point, by forcing them to leave not only an official meeting, but the meeting room itself. Cllr Reg Osler should now lodge a formal complaint against Alan Turner and BCA, on such grounds of religious and faith discrimination...and whilst said complaint is being investigated, Alan Turner and BCA should be both suspended and unable to claim any expenses paid for from public funds. Like John Terry and Luis Suarez in the world of football, it's time our local Councillors were dragged into both the real world, and the 21st Century. Ironic that yet another Lib Dem Cllr conveniently takes out the Democracy content from their party's name, when it suits them and their personal agendas and self interests best!
Paul Kersey
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 01:32 PMI always sacrifice a chicken to Baron Samedi before I start my business meetings. Each to their own, eh!
Aylesbury Duck
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 11:56 AMLets face it, as our councillors are rank armatures; they need all the help they can get.
AylesburyFella
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 08:43 AMIsn't it a shame they were more incensed by other issues? Don't seem to hear them threatening to resign over other issues...yet something as petty as this.
ElHenderson
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 03:09 PMAre prayers allowed in schools? If not, then why are they allowed in council meetings? Come kicking and screaming into 2012 already.
JR
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 02:32 PM'bye Mr. T - and don't let the door hit your back side on the way out ! :-D
CSJarrett
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 02:28 PMHear, hear! Apparently, George W and Tony Blair both prayed - and look where that took us: irresponsible financial management and a series of damaging conflicts. So give up the praying in Council time Mr Turner or give up your seat: you are given an allowance to serve the people not your personal interests.
gaspodia
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 01:33 PMI'm puzzled as to why they aren't able to say their prayers before they leave for work?
Usedtobelocal
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11:38 AMPerhaps Princes Risborough will be put back to how it used to be, and should be, with out that stupid one way system. Take all your belongings with you when you go Mr. Turner, Bye.
Aylesbury_Vale_Man
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:56 AMIf you want to pray go to a ChurchMosque etc. If you want to be a Councillor then attend to council business straight away. Resign Mr Turner and go pray as much as you like! Hopefully there is a prayer session at your local church.
terra-firma
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:24 AMSuppose they have to pray that everything they discuss goes to their advantage!
WhatsThePoint
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:18 AMGoodbye Alan Turner! What a pathetic threat. Clearly not considering those he serves with such an idle threat. Ban the prayers and wish him good riddance. And good on you Reg Orsler, let's keep these outdated, unnecessary religious traditions out of our political domain. I want a much greater division between church and state, especially in schools.
JR
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 11:12 PMWhy, exactly do these people feel the need to say a prayer before each meeting? I agree, there are far more important things they could be filling their time with - unless, of course, they are praying for guidance? The fact that one member feels so uncomfortable with this that they have to leave 'the circle' speaks volumes. Prayers should be reserved for church\mosque or quiet time - not official meetings. I do hope their claim forms don't include prayer time !
LocalBoy
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 09:37 PMJust concentrate on doing council work. Meetings can start 2 minutes early for a prayer, if there are those that don't want to join in then they don't have to. Councils of all shapes, sizes and colours seem to spend a great deal of time talking about petty nothings when there are far more important things that they could be doing.
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