DEADLOCK gripped Whitchurch Town Council this week during a heated debate on prayers before meetings.

The issue was discussed during full council on Monday night after a councillor said that he felt “intimidated” by the practice of Christian prayers at meetings.

Following a long debate, with strong arguments from councillors for and against the practice, chairman Councillor Mike Kean proposed that the council continue to hold a prayer and a vote was taken with three in favour, three against and five abstaining.

The chairman was then left with the deciding vote, but despite originally voting in favour of the proposal, he took the unusual step of declining to make a decision.

He said: “It would be wise for everyone to reflect on this issue and bring it back to full council at a later date.”

Steve Neilson was the councillor who first raised objection to the issue. He said: “As a non- Christian I find it to be intimidating.”

He added that everyone should feel welcome at the meetings regardless of their religious or non-religious beliefs.

Councillor Andy Jordan said: “Whether we like it or not this should be a secular body, but it’s difficult because religion is an emotive issue.”

However some councillors supported the idea claiming that it was “traditional”.

Although he abstained from the vote, Councillor Dave Titcomb said: “It focuses me on the meeting and the idea of doing good for the community.”

The issue was raised following a controversial High Court case in 2012 were a judge ruled that Bideford Town Council had acted “unlawfully” by saying prayers during a meeting.

However as Whitchurch Town Council say their prayers before the meeting commences, all councillors agreed that they were acting within the law.

The council agreed to defer a decision until the next full council meeting on February 2.

A spokesman for Hampshire Association of Local Councils told the Advertiser that council chairmen are not legally bound to use their casting vote, although refusing to do so is thought to be rare.

 

What do you think?

How do you feel about the decision? Should prayers be said before political meetings?

Email your views to newsdesk@andoveradvertiser.co.uk or write to: Andover Advertiser, 24-32 London St, Andover, SP10