Ramifications of the much-publicised Bideford Prayers court test case are being felt in Brigg.
During the past two meetings, Brigg Town Council had to suspend proceedings to hold prayers and then officially reconvene the meeting after the Town Mayor’s Chaplain had finished his text.
This course of action followed advice given by the Barton-based East Riding and Northern Lincolnshire Local Councils Association (ERNLLCA) which assists parish and town authorities.
A protest about prayers being said during Bideford Council’s meeting culminated in a decision by the High Court, which received a blaze of publicity. A complaint had been made by the National Secular Society.
ERNLLCA has advised local councils against holding prayers DURING council meetings.
Two alternatives have been put before town and parish councils.
Brigg has chosen to open the meeting at the appointed time. The Town Mayor/chairman then asks for a resolution from councillors that the meeting should be temporarily suspended while prayers are said.
ERNLLCA stresses this must be a decision made by the council, not by the Town Mayor/chairman.
Coun James Truepenny commented that he thought it important for prayers to be said as the time involved gave members “a moment for reflection.”
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