Cheshire local government adviser, Jackie Weaver, is urging the people of Macclesfield to sign a petition which will temporarily or permanently remove unruly councillors who break disciplinary procedures.

The local politics celebrity wants your signature for a national petition pressing the Government to amend legislation to enable Councillors to be disqualified or suspended for breaching relevant Codes of Conduct.

She says she is "stunned" that only just over 5,800 signatures have been collected so far for the petition which Jackie helped launch and which she says is vital to the future of local councils if we are to continue attracting people to serve their community.

Jackie, Chief Officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils (ChALC) told Nub News exclusively: "The kind of sanctions we are looking at aren't public flogging.

"It's looking at the potential of mandatory training or being removed from office for a period of time.

"It's important that we show the powers that be that we care about politics from the grass root level. It's been like pulling teeth so far. There is a general apathy and lack of understanding of just what a difference this can make. We all need to do a little."

She added: "We are trying very hard to promote diversity and equality in local councils and we have to be able to say to people that they will be safe in that environment.

"The least we can do is reassure them that they won't have to deal with internal conflict. We are failing some councils who work extremely hard at representing their communities yet councillors have to deal with a disruptive element.

"I cannot understand why people wouldn't want to sign this petition which is designed to support local government and make sure fellow councillors and members of the public are protected from unacceptable behaviour within the operations of the council."

Ms Weaver, shot to fame when she infamously booted the chair of Handforth Parish Council from a Zoom meeting that went viral.

The petition asks the Government to amend legislation to enable Councillors to be disqualified or suspended for breaching relevant Codes of Conduct.

It states: "Some Councillors behave unacceptably, yet currently sanctions do not enable Councillors to be disqualified or suspended for breaches of a Code of Conduct.

"Most Councillors maintain high standards of conduct, but a significant minority engage in unacceptable behaviour, such as harassment and bullying including racist, sexist, ableist abuse.

"This activity would be grounds for dismissal in an employment setting, and equivalent sanctions should exist for Councillors."

The petition currently has 5,881 signatures but 10,000 are needed for the Government to respond and 100,000 for the petition to be considered for a debate in Parliament.

Macclesfield Town Council hope to invite the local democracy champion to speak in our town, after she has inspired many to get involved with the smallest form of government.

Speaking at a Macclesfield Town Council meeting in May, Macclesfield South councillor Neil Puttick said: "I just want to voice my support for Jackie Weaver, and the great work that she does.

"She's done a fantastic job to stand up for women working in local government, but also for continuing to support us, and also just to say that I hope she comes to visit."

Macclesfield Mayor and Tytherington Cllr David Edwardes replied to Cllr Puttick with: "That would be great wouldn't it."

Former Mayor and Hurdsfield Ward representative Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake added "Can I just echo what Neil said. Jackie Weaver is an absolute star. She does know standing orders. She teaches them.

"She completely understands them, she's a fantastic teacher and member of ChALC - which I'm glad we're still members of."

If the demands of Weaver's petition were already law, she will have remained unknown to the nation.

Brian Tolver who later resigned from Handforth Parish Council, apologised to Weaver for his behaviour.

However, this petition if implemented would mean he'd either be temporarily or permanently removed from their post.

You can sign Jackie's petition here.

Did you also know that Jackie Weaver recently earned a Disney advertising deal earlier in the year, and dressed up as a zombie to promote The Walking Dead.

Read about this on our sister site Wilmslow Nub News.

Weaver has almost 31,000 followers on Twitter.

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