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Southwell Town Council brings in alcohol ban during its Zoom meetings




Drinking alcohol during council meetings has been banned by a council.

While updating its Zoom protocol, where Southwell Town Council has conducted its virtual meetings, a no alcohol rule caused a stir among councillors.

Committee member Penny Rainbow argued it should state no alcohol in the council’s protocols.

Drinking alcohol during council meetings has been banned by a council.
Drinking alcohol during council meetings has been banned by a council.

She said: “We make some pretty big decisions in these meetings. We are responsible for spending the residents’ hard-earned money, and for councillors to sit their drinking and to possibly not have a clear head is not on.

“Drinking alcohol doesn’t put us in a good light in our council meetings.”

David Martin shared the thoughts of Mrs Rainbow.

“We have seen councillors drinking alcohol during these meetings,” he said.

“They would never do that if they were in the courthouse and I think we should keep that (rule) in.

“Taking it out would only upset if you are going to drink alcohol in the meetings.”

Former chairman of the council Lyn Harris said: “If some people have problems with alcohol and they look at town councillors drinking alcohol, that could be an issue for them and that is not what I want our council to represent.”

Despite not wanting to drink alcohol during the council’s meetings, members Steve Perry and Peter Harris said it should not be an official ruling.

“It stands out like a sore thumb,” said Mr Perry.

“If we are going down on individual prescriptions we could go down the route of other things as well.

“We are all adults. We come into meetings sensibly, and it shouldn’t be there, or we should include a huge number [of things].”

Mr Harris echoed his comments and said he trusted his colleagues to behave responsibly.

A majority vote banned alcohol during meetings.



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