Residents of a South Lakeland hamlet are in political purgatory after members of the parish council resigned over red tape, writes Lisa Frascarelli.

All five councillors handed in their resignation in protest of new regulations that meant they would have to publicly declare business interests and land ownership.

Before their walk-out, the grass roots representatives became the subject of investigation by the Standards Board for England because of their refusal to sign the Parish Councils Model Code of Conduct

Former parish council vice-chairman Tim Holt said members saw the legislation as an infringement of privacy: "We said on your bike.' We were prepared to fulfill our requirements and duties honestly and without hindrance or favour but bureaucracy said no, sign your life away'.

"As a council we were not prepared for any Tom, Dick and Harry any time to go to the clerk and see about our interests."

He said he realised the corruption-cutting register was needed for councils which handle large amounts of money but said it was not needed in Hutton Roof where the income was £170 a year.

Mr Holt said he and other former councillors, Chris Manning, Max Burrow, Raymond Wightman and Michael Shuttleworth, had the backing of the hamlet's 154-strong electorate.

"Hutton Roof has always had a parish council. This is a complete obliteration of a tier of local government.

"There will not be a watchdog for planning applications and the other things the parish council handles just because we were not prepared to sign this declaration of interest. It is petty and it is a very sad day for a little community," said the councillor of 15 years.

Monitoring officer for South Lakeland District Council Jim Morrison said a public meeting would be held in Hutton Roof following the May 1 elections to decide the final fate of the parish council.

He explained if no potential councillors were willing to come forward the Secretary of State could dissolve' the parish council and instead a parish meeting would be held once a year with an appointed chairman.

He added that in the meantime the Hutton Roof parish council precept would be looked after by the treasurer of South Lakeland District Council until a decision was made.

April 17, 2003 14:30