By organising a hustings on Thursday 25 April at the Arts Centre Pocklington Town Council (PTC) Mayor Councillor Dean Hodgson has acted beyond his legal powers.

Please read Hodgson – Strangeway Emails

Independent ERYC Candidate Ruth Strangeway drew my attention to the seriousness of the situation after Councillor Dean Hodgson replied to her simple enquiry.

All 25 candidates are standing for roles that must be undertaken within statute. That is their primary objective.

Town/Parish Councillor Actions Must Be Mandated

Statute does not prevent Dean Hodgson, private citizen, from organising such an event. All Dean had to do was use his own address, phone number and sign it Dean Hodgson.

Sadly the invite is sent out in the name of Cllr D Hodgson, Town Mayor, Mayor of Pocklington with the Town Council address and phone number. This is clearly a PTC event.

Councillor Hodgson, and all PTC Councillors, must be mandated to undertake actions by the PTC and for this event he has not been. This means the hustings are organised in breach of statute.

Evidence – Facebook Promotion

On Thursday 18 April at 12.26 the Mayor of Pocklington invited residents to attend the event on social media via Pocklington Area Local Politics Facebook page.

This confirms the Mayor of Pocklington/PTC is organising the event.

Evidence – Martin Cooper

While discussing on social media possible last-minute changes to the format, PTC Councillor Martin Cooper suggested:

“all you have to do is tell them we have changed the format”

This clearly confirms that we/PTC are organising the event.

Candidates Must Not Condone

No candidate, standing to represent a Government body, can condone a hustings organised in breach of statute. To do so demonstrates, not only a lack of understanding for statute, but also a disrespect for statute.

Recording Public Audience

Councillor Hodgson also falsely states that permission of the full audience must be given before they can be recorded. This is false.

Legislation states the full meeting can be recorded. This includes the audience.

Arts Centre

Pocklington residents subsidise the Arts Centre via their Council Tax yet the Arts Centre are paying for the event to be staged.

How many other events are given free use of the Arts Centre?

Candidates/ERYC Informed

I have informed Councillor Hodgson, Councillor Kay West, ERYC Monitoring Officer Mathew Buckley and ERYC Returning Officer Caroline Lacey of the situation.

I politely suggest that Councillor Hodgson, before proceeding with the event, considers the statements he has made and the actions he is taking. The statements he has made do not reflect legislation and he is acting outside his authority.

I recommend that Councillor Hodgson informs all candidates of the concerns raised.

I can confirm neither myself nor Ruth Strangeway condone the breach of statute and as such will not attend the husting.