Minutes:
The Mayor, Councillor Makinson, was sure that all Members would want to join her in wishing Councillor P Markham all the best for a speedy recovery from a most horrific assault in Broomhill Park recently. She reported that Councillor Markham had received a lot of support from her colleagues and from local residents within the community in which she served who were greatly disappointed, angered and upset at this most unwarranted attack.
Councillor Osborne then read a statement from Councillor Markham in which she thanked everyone for their kind words and support. She also thanked the Mayor and all her staff within the Town Hall for the lovely flowers she had received, she also thanked the South Yorkshire Ambulance Service and staff at Barnsley Hospital for all the support and care they had given her. She stated that she would be taking a short break and would resume her duties as soon as she was well enough.
Councillors Osborne, Greenhough, J Higginbottom and Sir Steve Houghton CBE on behalf of all members expressed their best wishes for a speedy recovery. The also expressed their abhorrence that such an incident should take place.
Sir Steve Houghton stated that sadly this was not an isolated incident because as recently as two days ago Councillors were receiving serious threats. He also commented on and stressed the importance of Members being careful in their use of social media. Social media was used by some residents as a tool to generate a feeling of unrest and unease. Indeed, the Council had had to use legal processes against some people who had posted inappropriate statements. In such circumstances the Council would continue to do so in order to protect all Members of the Council so that they could carry out their duties in the way that they should. He felt that all people had the right to go about their business in safety. The Council would be working with the Police to try to bring the perpetrators of the attack on Councillor Markham to justice and appropriate punishment.