Handforth Town Council

Following the Local Government Act 1894 Handford Parish Council was established for the rural Handforth parish. It was part of the Stockport Rural District and in 1901 had a population of 794. In 1904 the rural district was abolished. The Handforth civil parish became an urban district and the parish council became Handforth Urban District Council, absorbing powers that were previously the responsibility of Stockport Rural District Council. In 1936 the council and urban district were abolished as part of a Local Government Act 1929 county review order and the former area was split between Cheadle and Gatley and Wilmslow.{{r|PPF}}

The parish council was established again in May 2011 with the new civil parish formed from part of Wilmslow. Its duties and role are to represent the local community, consult and advise on planning applications and provide local amenities and activities such as Christmas lighting and grounds maintenance.{{r|HPC}} Its early projects, such as the development of green belt land, the building of a war memorial, the creation of an after-school club, the creation of the parish council's Facebook page and installation of CCTV cameras were blocked by members of the council, mostly the Handforth Ratepayers. Accusations of personal conflicts of interest were made by the Ratepayers and their rivals on the council, Improving Handforth, and relations between the two became increasingly fractious. Formal complaints were made by both groups, including by Aled Brewerton (who was then a member of the public). Lawyers' statements were read out at meetings on a regular basis.{{cite news |last1=Phipps |first1=John |title=Inside Handforth: Jackie Weaver and the battle for England's soul |url=https://www.economist.com/1843/2021/04/16/inside-handforth-jackie-weaver-and-the-battle-for-englands-soul |newspaper=The Economist |date=16 April 2021}}

In 2017, residents complained about the conduct of parish councillors as they believed meetings were becoming unproductive.{{cite news |last1=Topping |first1=Stephen |date=15 May 2017 |title=Handforth residents slam behaviour of parish councillors |url=https://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/15283682.handforth-residents-slam-behaviour-of-parish-councillors/ |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=Knutsford Guardian |language=en}} The Independent described Handforth council meetings as "full of petty arguments about points of order and whether items had been agreed for the agenda – with the battle of ideas entirely absent."{{cite news |date=5 February 2021 |title=The history of the Handforth parish council feud |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/handforth-parish-council-zoom-jackie-weaver-b1798051.html |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=The Independent |language=en}} A letter from David Brown, director of governance and compliance at Cheshire East Council, made references to councillors' behaviour in the past and alleged misconduct, including suggestions by unnamed councillors that elections should not be held:{{cite news |last1=Hansen |first1=Richard |date=5 February 2021 |title=Handforth Parish Council warned over election blocking and misconduct claims |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/handforth-parish-council-warned-over-19775141 |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=CheshireLive |language=en}}

{{blockquote|quote=As Monitoring Officer in Cheshire East I have received a multiplicity of complaints and referrals. These range from multiple complaints about councillors' behaviour; to fundamental issues of governance and member/officer engagement. The most recent referrals relate to suggestions that some members of Handforth Parish Council have purported to take decisions that are plainly unlawful, and these decisions have resulted in expenditure of public funds.|author=David Brown, Director of Governance and Compliance at Cheshire East Council{{cite news |title=Handforth Parish Council |url=https://www.handforth.org.uk/ |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=www.handforth.org.uk}}{{cite news |last1=Farrer |first1=Martin |last2=Pidd |first2=Helen |title=Insults and expletives turn parish council Zoom meeting into internet sensation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/05/handforth-insults-and-expletives-turn-parish-council-meeting-into-internet-sensation |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=5 February 2021}}}}

At an employment committee meeting held on 4 November 2020, three councillors – Brian Tolver, Aled Brewerton and Barry Burkhill – tried to suspend the clerk Ashley Comiskey Dawson.{{cite news |last1=Reeves |first1=Lisa |date=5 February 2021 |title=Updated: 'Handforth Parish Council are not fit for purpose' |url=https://www.alderleyedge.com/news/article/21225/handforth-parish-council-are-not-fit-for-purpose |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=AlderleyEdge.com}}

{{redirect|Jackie Weaver|the Australian actress|Jacki Weaver}}{{Infobox event

| title = Extraordinary meeting of Handforth Parish Council Planning and Environment Committee

| date = {{startdate|2020|12|10|df=y}}

| time = 19:00 – 19:35

| timezone = GMT

| venue = Online via Zoom

| participants = {{ubl|Brian Tolver (Council Chair)|{{nowrap|Susan Moore (Committee Vice-Chair)}}|Aled Brewerton|Barry Burkhill|Cynthia Samson|John Smith|Jackie Weaver (Clerk to the meeting)|Seven members of the public}}

| outcome = Tolver, Brewerton, Burkhill removed from meeting by Weaver

| website = {{url|http://handforthtowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/Minutes/Planning-Minutes/Planning-Minutes-2020/Minutes-Planning-Dec-2020.pdf|Minutes of the meeting}}

}}

In a Zoom meeting of the Handforth Parish Council Planning and Environment Committee{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Ethan |date=5 February 2021 |title=Handforth Parish Council's viral clip, explained |url=https://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/19067927.handforth-parish-councils-jackie-weaver-clip-explained/ |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=Knutsford Guardian |language=en}} on 10 December 2020, two camps formed over a bureaucratic dispute. Jackie Weaver, chief officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils (ChALC), was brought into the meeting to moderate and provide guidance on the running of the council.{{cite news |last1=Baynes |first1=Megan |last2=Mason |first2=Alistair |date=6 February 2021 |title=Jackie Weaver surprised at fame after Cheshire parish council meeting goes viral |url=https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/19070816.cheshire-jackie-weaver-surprised-fame-parish-council-meeting-goes-viral/ |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=Chester and District Standard |language=en |agency=Press Association}}

She is recorded as clerk to the meeting in the official minutes, but is not the official clerk of Handforth Parish Council. For this reason, council chairman Brian Tolver refused to accept the legality or legitimacy of the meeting, called by two other councillors, as no proper officer was present, saying that she had "no authority here", sentiments echoed by vice chair Aled Brewerton. (Weaver said there was no need for a proper officer to be involved while she was acting as clerk.) This led to Tolver being moved from the meeting into a virtual waiting room. In response to Weaver initiating a vote for a proxy chair in Tolver's absence, Brewerton angrily insisted that he should assume control as vice chair.{{cite news |date=5 February 2021 |title=The history of the Handforth parish council feud |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/handforth-parish-council-zoom-jackie-weaver-b1798051.html |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=The Independent |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Picheta |first1=Rob |date=5 February 2021 |title=The world's worst Zoom call is taking the internet by storm |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/05/uk/handforth-parish-council-zoom-meeting-scli-gbr-intl/index.html |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=CNN}} Brewerton was consequently removed from the conference by Weaver, along with councillor Barry Burkhill, who had protested the expulsion of Tolver and Brewerton. Councillor John Smith was nominated as proxy chair, and allowed a vote to confirm the removals.

On the evening of 4 February 2021, the video of the December meeting went viral, after being found by Shaan Ali, a 17-year-old local government enthusiast and politics A-Level student from East London.{{cite news |date=5 February 2021 |title='I made Handforth Parish Council go viral' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-55955288 |work=BBC News}} He noted "it's the parish councils who directly work with communities and it's so fascinating because [they argue] over the smallest issues."{{r|BBC}} He found the video on YouTube and told a friend, Janine, who tweeted it. This was then retweeted by thousands of accounts, including those of Piers Morgan, Richard Osman and Greg James, {{r|BBC}} leading to increased attention and the meeting going viral.{{r|BBC|ST}} Weaver's name was the highest trending topic on Twitter in the United Kingdom that night and the following day.{{cite news |last1=Booth |first1=Rich |date=5 February 2021 |title=Bizarre Handforth Parish Council Zoom meeting goes viral after descending into chaos |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/handforth-parish-council-zoom-jackie-weaver-b1797920.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205103529/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/handforth-parish-council-zoom-jackie-weaver-b1797920.html |archive-date=5 February 2021 |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=The Independent |quote=One of the meeting's participants, Jackie Weaver, trended throughout Thursday evening.}}{{cite news |last1=Malvern |first1=Jack |date=5 February 2021 |title=Chaotic Handforth parish council meeting becomes viral video |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/chaotic-handforth-parish-council-meeting-becomes-viral-video-r50qsdhlf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205195356/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/chaotic-handforth-parish-council-meeting-becomes-viral-video-r50qsdhlf |archive-date=5 February 2021 |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=The Times |url-status=live |quote=Jackie Weaver, who hosted the call, became an internet celebrity whose name was the first in Twitter’s list of trending topics this morning.}} The clip drew attention because most parish council meetings have a reputation for being sedate and well-mannered. The event spawned memes,{{cite news |date=5 February 2021 |title=Ten best Jackie Weaver memes: Handforth Parish Council Call Goes Viral |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/02/05/jackie-weaver-meme/ |work=HITC}} merchandise, and international media coverage. It was described as "like an absurdist British play" by The Washington Post, who noted that Weaver "was hailed for her fortitude and stoicism — two revered British traits".{{cite news |last1=Adam |first1=Karla |date=5 February 2021 |title=An English council Zoom meeting descends into chaos and goes viral |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/zoom-chaos-handforth-parish-council/2021/02/05/e302e9e0-67b9-11eb-8468-21bc48f07fe5_story.html |access-date=6 February 2021 |newspaper=Washington Post}}

On 5 February, Weaver appeared on Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4,{{Cite tweet |number=1357624290930270210 |user=BBCWomansHour |title=BBC Woman's Hour on Twitter: "Today on Woman's Hour: We speak to the one and only Jackie Weaver to find out what actually happened at *that* viral #HandforthParishCouncil meeting https://bbc.in/3cHGKUY" |author=BBC Woman's Hour}} followed by an appearance on The Last Leg.{{cite news |last1=Pugh |first1=Rachel |date=5 February 2021 |title=Channel 4 viewers in stitches over brand new Jackie Weaver footage |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/jackie-weaver-last-leg-appearance-19783599 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205232235/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/jackie-weaver-last-leg-appearance-19783599 |archive-date=5 February 2021 |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=Manchester Evening News}}{{cite news |last1=Nugent |first1=Annabel |date=6 February 2021 |title=The Last Leg viewers praise Jackie Weaver's 'hilarious' appearance on show |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jackie-weaver-handforth-the-last-leg-b1798559.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206115414/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jackie-weaver-handforth-the-last-leg-b1798559.html |archive-date=6 February 2021 |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=The Independent}} Among the various tributes that have been paid to Weaver is a song titled "An Ode to Jackie Weaver", with music composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics penned by Don Black. In the song, Weaver is affectionately hailed as "Britain’s answer to the American dream" and "the role model we all strive to be. She doesn't want a medal, just a nice cup of tea". On 10 February, Lloyd Webber appeared on Good Morning Britain to explain his composition; Carrie Hope Fletcher sang the new lyrics, with Lloyd Webber accompanying her at the piano.{{cite news |date=10 February 2021 |title=Don't cry for me, Jackie Weaver: Lloyd Webber writes tribute to Zoom sensation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/feb/10/dont-cry-for-me-jackie-weaver-lloyd-webber-writes-tribute-to-zoom-legend |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210152401/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/feb/10/dont-cry-for-me-jackie-weaver-lloyd-webber-writes-tribute-to-zoom-legend |archive-date=10 February 2021 |work=The Guardian |vauthors=Pidd, Helen}}

Weaver said of the incident that she has had "nothing but positive support" for her behaviour and actions in the Zoom call,{{cite news |date=5 February 2021 |title=Jackie Weaver: Handforth Parish Council host 'surprised' by reaction |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-55946252 |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=BBC News}} adding: "There is an element of bullying and bad behaviour in local councils, and a lot of us are working very hard, and that includes central government, to try to do something about that. Because we're passionate about the fact that local government is the mechanism by which people can really engage with their communities."{{cite news |date=5 February 2021 |title=Viral Handforth Parish Council Star Jackie Weaver Says There Is A Problem With 'Bullying And Bad Behaviour' At Local Authorities |url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/viral-handforth-council-jackie-weaver-bullying |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=Politics Home}}{{cite news |last1=Roach |first1=April |date=5 February 2021 |title=Jackie Weaver speaks out about fiery parish council row |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/jackie-weaver-authority-handforth-parish-council-zoom-call-meeting-b918745.html |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=Evening Standard}} Weaver has also said that the aggressive and bullying attitudes of the councillors had "gone on in Handforth for some period of time", adding that she believed sexism played a part of the reason as to why Tolver and others acted in such an aggressive and confrontational manner, saying "maybe an underlying part of it was they just didn't like being told no by a woman".{{cite news |date=6 February 2021 |title=Jackie Weaver: Sexism at heart of Handforth Parish Council row |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/matt-frei/sexism-at-handforth-council-zoom-meeting-jackie-weaver/ |access-date=7 February 2021 |work=LBC |language=en}} During the meeting, councillor John Smith described the events as "a very good example of bullying within Cheshire East and the environs".{{cite news |date=5 February 2021 |title='Read the standing orders!': chaotic parish council Zoom meeting goes viral – video |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2021/feb/05/chaotic-parish-council-zoom-meeting-viral-handforth-video |work=The Guardian |agency=Handforth council}}

Tolver maintained that he was in the right, calling Weaver "an unqualified member of the public" and adding: "Removing half the councillors from the meeting denied half of the voters of the village from being represented – it was an appalling attack on their democratic rights." He has also called the clips being shared on YouTube and social media "corrupt copies" and "hooky videos".

Robert Jenrick, the communities and local government secretary, had been considering legislation which would make parish council Zoom meetings permanent as a result of the "Jackie Weaver phenomenon" which has increased interest in the meetings.{{cite news |last1=Hope |first1=Christopher |date=13 February 2021 |title='Jackie Weaver' phenomenon forces ministers 'to make parish councils by Zoom permanent' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/02/13/jackie-weaver-phenomenon-forces-ministers-make-parish-councils/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 February 2021 |work=The Telegraph}}

Following the viral video, councillors received an unprecedented number of complaints from parishioners arguing the council was not fit for purpose.{{cite news |last1=Reeves |first1=Lisa |date=5 February 2021 |title=Updated: 'Handforth Parish Council are not fit for purpose' |url=https://www.alderleyedge.com/news/article/21225/handforth-parish-council-are-not-fit-for-purpose |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=AlderleyEdge.com}} In February 2021, Burkhill faced a vote of no confidence from Conservative councillor Liz Wardlaw on Cheshire East Council for his "complicity in the bullying" of Weaver and for bringing "this council and his role within this council into disrepute".{{cite news |date=10 February 2021 |title=Handforth Parish Council: No confidence vote after Zoom meeting |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-56012924 |access-date=10 February 2021 |work=BBC News |quote=The mayor's participation in that meeting has led us to believe he has brought this council and his role within this council into disrepute. He made no attempt to intervene as it became clear participants in that meeting were being bullied. The inaction of the mayor could be seen as a demonstration of his complicity in the bullying that occurred and this cannot be ignored. In light of the above [we propose] this council resolves it has no confidence in the mayor and his term of office as mayor and chairman of the council will cease immediately.}}

{{cquote|The mayor's participation in that meeting has led us to believe he has brought this council and his role within this council into disrepute. He made no attempt to intervene as it became clear participants in that meeting were being bullied. The inaction of the mayor could be seen as a demonstration of his complicity in the bullying that occurred and this cannot be ignored. In light of the above [we propose] this council resolves it has no confidence in the mayor and his term of office as mayor and chairman of the council will cease immediately.{{cite news |title=Handforth Parish Council: No confidence vote after Zoom meeting |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-56012924 |access-date=10 February 2021 |work=BBC News |date=10 February 2021}}

}}

The motion was referred to the council’s standard committee but was not debated at the full council meeting.{{cite web |last1=Davies |first1=Ethan |date=18 February 2021 |title=Cheshire East Mayor's no confidence vote to be examined |url=https://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/19100652.cheshire-east-mayors-no-confidence-vote-examined/ |access-date=26 April 2021 |website=Knutsford Guardian}}

The February meeting on Zoom had over 1,000 people watching the live stream and large numbers watched the March and April live stream. In the April live stream, the chair of Handforth Parish Council, Brian Tolver, resigned (as chair, but not from his position as councillor) during the meeting.{{cite web |date=26 April 2021 |title=Handforth Parish Council chairman quits in latest meeting |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-56885339 |access-date=26 April 2021 |website=BBC News}} Vice-chair Aled Brewerton also announced he would be stepping down from vice-chair and the parish council.{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Ethan |date=18 May 2021 |title=Handforth Parish Council sees another viral video member resign |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/handforth-parish-council-sees-another-20624335 |access-date=4 January 2022 |work=Manchester Evening News |language=en}} Their resignations were believed to have been in response to the reaction of the meeting.{{cite news |last=Pidd |first=Helen |date=29 April 2021 |title=Two Handforth parish council members quit after viral Zoom call |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/apr/29/two-handforth-parish-council-members-quit-after-viral-zoom-call |accessdate=29 April 2021 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news |date=26 April 2021 |title=Handforth Parish Council chairman quits in latest meeting |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-56885339 |accessdate=29 April 2021 |work=BBC News}} Burkhill served out his term of office as mayor, staying in post until May 2021 and then continued as a councillor,{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=James |date=4 May 2021 |title=Councillors elect new mayor of Cheshire East |url=https://wilmslow.nub.news/n/councillors-elect-new-mayor-of-cheshire-east |access-date=5 January 2022 |work=Wilmslow Nub News |language=en}} but he quit the parish council the same month saying, "I have decided to concentrate on my Handforth Ratepayer Independent role at CEC, as too much of my time has been taken up in trying to deal with HPC's enduring problems."{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Ethan |date=18 May 2021 |title=Handforth Parish Council sees another viral video member resign |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/handforth-parish-council-sees-another-20624335 |access-date=4 January 2022 |work=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}

As parish councils are permitted to be known as town councils, village councils, community councils or neighbourhood councils and require only a resolution of the parish council to change their name, Handforth Parish Council decided at a meeting on 13 July that from 31 July it would be known as Handforth Town Council.{{cite web |date=13 July 2021 |title=Minutes of the Meeting of Handforth Parish Council held on Tuesday 13th July 2021 at 7:30pm, held at Handforth Youth Centre, Old Road, Handforth. |url=https://handforthtowncouncil.gov.uk/archive/2021/Minutes/Minutes-July-2021.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429165335/https://handforthtowncouncil.gov.uk/archive/2021/Minutes/Minutes-July-2021.pdf |archive-date=29 April 2022 |quote=MOTION: To solve that effective 31st July 2021 Handforth Parish Council will now be renamed Handforth Town Council, and will adopt the style of Town Council. |location=Handforth Youth Centre, Old Road, Handforth}}

In August 2021, Weaver was the celebrity invited to open the annual Ambridge village fete in BBC Radio 4's long-running soap opera The Archers.{{cite web |last=Higgins |first=Charlotte |date=31 August 2021 |title=Charlotte Higgins on The Archers: Jackie Weaver is the new queen of Ambridge |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/aug/31/charlotte-higgins-on-the-archers-jackie-weaver-is-the-new-queen-of-ambridge |accessdate=29 March 2022 |work=The Guardian}} The following February she was a contestant on BBC's Celebrity Mastermind, with a specialist subject of The Chronicles of Riddick, and a chosen charity of Cheshire Community Action. She scored 15 points and finished in second place.{{Cite web |title=Celebrity Mastermind - 2022: Episode 1 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00149fc/celebrity-mastermind-2022-episode-1 |via=www.bbc.co.uk}} Her appearance was met with some media comment.{{Cite news |last=Tinson |first=Emma |date=5 February 2022 |title='If she's a celebrity I am too!' Celebrity Mastermind fans blast Jackie Weaver appearance |url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1561589/Celebrity-Mastermind-backlash-Jackie-Weaver-appearance |work=express.co.uk}}{{Cite news |last=Alexi Duggins and Phill Harrision |date=5 February 2022 |title=TV tonight: Zoom supremo Jackie Weaver gets a grilling |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/feb/05/tv-tonight-zoom-supremo-jackie-weaver-gets-a-grilling |work=The Guardian}} In February 2025, she was invited by the BBC to comment as an expert on local councillor misbehaviour about an ongoing conflict at Teignbridge District Council in Devon.{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Miles |title=Councillors told to stop swearing and show respect |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgep61vje5o |access-date=27 February 2025 |work=BBC News |date=25 February 2025}}

In March 2022, a series of six reports commissioned by Cheshire East Council into the conduct of councillors of the then Handforth Parish Council was published.{{cite web |last=Watterson |first=Kaleigh |date=29 March 2022 |title=Handforth Parish Council: Jackie Weaver 'did not have the authority' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-60913569 |accessdate=29 March 2022 |website=BBC News Online}} One concluded that during the 10 December 2020 meeting, Weaver did not "have the authority" to mute councillors and move them into the virtual waiting room, but that "Faced with what were unusual and difficult circumstances, and the deep-seated issues underpinning those circumstances, we can understand why Jackie Weaver acted as she did, despite her action being without any formal footing in terms of appropriate process and procedure". The six reports cost a total of £85,000.

Tolver died in July 2022.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-08 |title=Link to meeting - a Freedom of Information request to Handforth Town Council |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/link_to_meeting#incoming-2229351 |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=WhatDoTheyKnow |language=en}} Burkhill died from melanoma on 19 November 2022 at the age of 83.{{cite web |title=Tributes pour in for Handforth councillor after his death from short illness - wilmslow.co.uk |url=https://www.wilmslow.co.uk/news/article/22875/tributes-pour-in-for-handforth-councillor-after-his-death-from-short-illness}}

Elections were held in 2023{{cite news |url=https://www.wilmslow.co.uk/news/article/23244/handforth-town-council-becomes-completely-independent |website=wilmslow.co.uk |access-date=25 July 2024 |archive-date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725060333/https://www.wilmslow.co.uk/news/article/23244/handforth-town-council-becomes-completely-independent |url-status=live |date=7 May 2023 |first=Lisa |last=Reeves|title=2023 Elections Results: Handforth Town Council becomes completely independent - wilmslow.co.uk }} when the following councillors were elected. The chair as of 25 July 2024 is Susan Moore and the vice chair is Cynthia Samson.

This ward was not contested.

• Cynthia Samson – Independent
• John Smith – Independent
• Kerry Sullivan – Independent
• Elizabeth Hindle-Newman – Independent

• Tim Royle – Independent
• Roger Small – Independent
• Peter Moore – Independent

This ward was not contested.

• Susan Moore – Independent
• Julie Smith – Independent
• Tim Hardon – Independent
• Sharon Murray – Independent

This ward was uncontested.

{{Election box begin|title=2023 Handforth Parish Council elections: Handforth East Ward (4 seats)}}

{{Election box candidate |

|party = Independent

|candidate = Cynthia Margaret Samson

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

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{{Election box candidate |

|party = Independent

|candidate = Elizabeth Hindle-Newman

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

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{{Election box candidate |

|party = Independent

|candidate = John Michael Smith

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

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{{Election box candidate |

|party = Independent

|candidate = Kerry Sullivan

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

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{{Election box turnout|

|votes = N/A

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{{Election box gain |

|winner = Independent

|loser = Improving Handforth

|swing = N/A

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{{Election box gain |

|winner = Independent

|loser = Improving Handforth

|swing = N/A

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{{Election box gain |

|winner = Independent

|loser = Improving Handforth

|swing = N/A

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{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=2023 Handforth Parish Council elections: Handforth South Ward (3 seats){{cite web |url=https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/voting_and_elections/elections/parish-council-election-2023/gawsworth-to-hurleston/handforth-south.aspx |access-date=25 July 2024 |archive-date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/Z5K1w |url-status=live |date=7 May 2023 |title=Handforth Town Council - South Ward Election Results 2023 |work=Cheshire East Council}}}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Independent

|candidate = Peter Moore

|votes = 286

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Ribia Nisa

|votes = 200

|percentage =

|change =

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{{Election box candidate|

|party = Independent

|candidate = Tim Royle

|votes = 383

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Independent

|candidate = Roger Clive Small

|votes = 345

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = N/A

|percentage = 40.35

|change = –2.30

}}

{{Election box gain|

|winner = Independent

|loser = Handforth Ratepayers' Association

|swing =

}}

{{Election box gain|

|winner = Independent

|loser = Handforth Ratepayers' Association

|swing =

}}

{{Election box gain|

|winner = Independent

|loser = Handforth Ratepayers' Association

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

There were 7 rejected ballots in the South Ward.

This ward was uncontested.

{{Election box begin|title=2023 Handforth Parish Council elections: Handforth West Ward (4 seats)}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Independent

|candidate = Susan Elizabeth Moore

|votes = N/A

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Independent

|candidate = Julie Smith

|votes = N/A

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Independent

|candidate = Tim Hardy

|votes = N/A

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Independent

|candidate = Sharon Murray

|votes = N/A

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = N/A

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box gain|

|winner = Independent

|loser = Independent and Protect Greenbelt

|swing =

}}

{{Election box gain|

|winner = Independent

|loser = Independent

|swing =

}}

{{Election box gain|

|winner = Independent

|loser = Improving Handforth

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

Incumbent Councillors Cynthia Samson and John Smith were returned, uncontested. Both had been elected in 2015 under the "Improving Handforth" banner and were returned uncontested under the same banner.

{{Election box begin|title=2019 Handforth Parish Council elections: Handforth East Ward (2 seats){{Cite web|url=https://www.wilmslow.co.uk/news/article/19005/2019-election-results-handforth-parish-council|title=2019 Election Results: Handforth Parish Council - wilmslow.co.uk|website=www.wilmslow.co.uk}}}}

{{Election box candidate |

|party = Improving Handforth

|candidate = Cynthia Margaret Samson

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate |

|party = Improving Handforth

|candidate = John Michael Smith

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = N/A

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box hold |

|winner = Improving Handforth

|swing = N/A

}}

{{Election box hold |

|winner = Improving Handforth

|swing = N/A

}}

{{Election box end}}

Incumbent Councillor Brian Tolver was re-elected, with a reduced majority. He had previously been elected in 2015 as an Independent, but stood in 2019 under the banner of "Handforth Ratepayers' Association". He was joined by long-serving Cheshire East Council member Barry Burkhill, who has represented Handforth on Cheshire East Council and its predecessor Macclesfield Borough Council since 1979. Burkhill joined Tolver in standing as a member of the "Handforth Ratepayers' Association". He replaced incumbent Councillor Ian Clark, who did not re-contest the seat.

{{Election box begin|title=2019 Handforth Parish Council elections: Handforth South Ward (2 seats)}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Handforth Ratepayers' Association

|candidate = Barry Edward Burkhill

|votes = 316

|percentage = 29.98

|change = +29.98

}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Handforth Ratepayers' Association

|candidate = Brian Victor Tolver

|votes = 271

|percentage = 25.71

|change = -9.71

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Andrew Backhouse

|votes = 239

|percentage = 22.68

|change = +22.68

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Roger Clive Small

|votes = 228

|percentage = 21.63

|change = +21.63

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 77

|percentage = 7.31

|change = +7.31

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 32

|percentage = 3.04

|change = -7.16

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 1,054

|percentage = 42.60

|change = -26.37

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Handforth Ratepayers' Association

|loser = Independent (politician)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box hold|

|winner = Handforth Ratepayers' Association

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

There were 5 spoilt ballots in the South Ward.

All three Councillors for the heavily-contested West Ward were elected for the first time. The three incumbent Councillors returned in 2015, Kerry Burgess ("Independent and Protect Greenbelt"), Matthew Clark (Independent) and Kerry Sullivan (an ally of Councillors Samson and Smith in the East Ward, under the "Improving Handforth" banner) all declined to re-contest their seats. The three successfully-returned Councillors in 2019, Aled Brewerton, Susan Moore and Jean Thompson, were all elected as Independents. However, after the election, both Aled Brewerton and Jean Thompson would side with the two "Handforth Ratepayers' Association" Councillors in South Ward, while Susan Moore would side with the two Independent Councillors in East Ward who had originally been elected under the "Improving Handforth" banner. Councillor Thompson was then unseated in 2020, due to a failure to attend any council meetings for six months.

{{Election box begin|title=2019 Handforth Parish Council elections: Handforth West Ward (3 seats){{Cite web|url=https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/voting_and_elections/elections/parish-council-election-2019/gawsworth-to-hurleston/handforth-west.aspx|title=Handforth Parish Council - West Ward Election Results 2019|website=www.cheshireeast.gov.uk}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Susan Elizabeth Moore

|votes = 451

|percentage = 21.17

|change = +21.17

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Jean Thompson

|votes = 369

|percentage = 17.32

|change = +17.32

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Aled Brewerton

|votes = 353

|percentage = 16.57

|change = +16.57

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Michael Keith Thompson

|votes = 294

|percentage = 13.80

|change = +13.80

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Lee Robert Nelson

|votes = 263

|percentage = 12.35

|change = +12.35

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Timothy Hardy

|votes = 218

|percentage = 10.23

|change = +10.23

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Chris Fortune

|votes = 182

|percentage = 8.55

|change = +8.55

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 157

|percentage = 7.20

|change = +7.20

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 75

|percentage = 3.44

|change = +3.44

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 59

|percentage = 2.71

|change = +2.71

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 2,180

|percentage = 23.92

|change = +23.92

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Independent (politician)

|loser = Independent and Protect Greenbelt

|swing =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Independent (politician)

|loser = Independent (politician)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Independent (politician)

|loser = Improving Handforth

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

There were 20 spoilt ballots in the West Ward.

{{Election box begin|title=2015 Handforth Parish Council elections: Handforth East Ward (2 seats){{Cite web|url=https://www.wilmslow.co.uk/news/article/11520/election-results-2015-handforth-parish-council|title=Election Results 2015: Handforth Parish Council - wilmslow.co.uk|website=www.wilmslow.co.uk}}}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Improving Handforth

|candidate = Cynthia Margaret Samson

|votes = 534

|percentage = 43.31

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Improving Handforth

|candidate = John Michael Smith

|votes = 473

|percentage = 38.36

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Beryl May Chapman

|votes = 226

|percentage = 18.33

|change =

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 308

|percentage = 24.98

|change =

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 247

|percentage = 20.03

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 1,233

|percentage = 53.93

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain|

|winner = Improving Handforth

|loser = Independent (politician)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box gain|

|winner = Improving Handforth

|loser = Independent (politician)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

There were 44 spoilt ballots in the East Ward.

{{Election box begin|title=2015 Handforth Parish Council elections: Handforth South Ward (2 seats)}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Ian Clark

|votes = 540

|percentage = 39.36

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Brian Victor Tolver

|votes = 486

|percentage = 35.42

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Improving Handforth

|candidate = Victor Moran

|votes = 346

|percentage = 25.22

|change =

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 194

|percentage = 14.14

|change =

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 140

|percentage = 10.20

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 1,372

|percentage = 68.97

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Independent (politician)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Independent (politician)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

There were 37 spoilt ballots in the South Ward.

{{Election box begin|title=2015 Handforth Parish Council elections: Handforth West Ward (3 seats)}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Independent and Protect Greenbelt

|candidate = Kerry Burgess

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Matthew Clark

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Improving Handforth

|candidate = Kerry Sullivan

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = Unopposed

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = N/A

|percentage = N/A

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Independent and Protect Greenbelt

|loser = Independent (politician)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Independent (politician)

|swing = N/A

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Improving Handforth

|loser = Independent (politician)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist|refs=

{{citation |newspaper=Sunday Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/handforth-parish-council-a-very-english-coup-starring-jackie-weaver-mk9fp6fzq |date=6 February 2021 |author=James Graham |title=Handforth parish council: A very English coup – starring Jackie Weaver}}

{{citation |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-55955288 |title=I made Handforth Parish Council go viral' |date=6 February 2021 |publisher=BBC}}

{{citation |url=https://www.handforth.org.uk/archive/Documents/Handforth-Past-Present-Future.pdf |title=Handforth: Past, Present and Future |publisher=Handforth Parish Council}}

{{citation |url=https://www.handforth.org.uk/about.php |title=About |publisher=Handforth Parish Council}}

}}

• [https://twitter.com/Channel4News/status/1358108883055759363 Channel 4 News] – Meet Shaan Ali, the 17-year-old A-Level student who made a small parish council meeting go viral after he unearthed it on YouTube.
• [https://twitter.com/janinemas0n/status/1357371421442396162 Twitter] – the original tweet by Shaan Ali's friend Janine

{{Town Councils in Cheshire}}

{{Local authorities in Cheshire}}

Category:Town councils in Cheshire

Category:Local precepting authorities in England

Category:Internet memes introduced in 2021

Category:Internet memes introduced from the United Kingdom