A COUNCILLOR quit in protest after his council proposed to use coronavirus emergency funds to pay the clerk to work more hours.

Mark Franks resigned from his position as Blackbird Leys parish councillor after he became 'frustrated' with the way the council was run and after being 'muted' on the conference software Zoom in the middle of his speech.

Mr Franks also said the councils handling of the proposed demolition of the Church of the Holy Family in Blackbird Leys, 'annoyed' him and promoted his resignation.

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The ex-councillor said the 'main' reason for his withdrawal from the council was the muting on the Zoom call.

Readers have been reacting to Mr Franks' resignation, commenting on the Oxford Mail's webpage.

One reader, named Matt Thomas, defended the council's proposal to raise the Clerk's salary.

He said: "I for one believe the clerk should be paid for the work that she has done for the parish as it has only increased its reputation in 30 years since her arrival.

"The new chairman is energetic and committed to the continued growth of the parish and should be supported by her fellow councillors."

Read more here: Councillor quits over Clerk's salary row

Ex-councillor Mr Franks himself responded to Matt Thomas' comment.

He said: "I have no grudge against the parish council or the chair, but rather I feel the public had the right to know the truth.

"The public have a right to know how their parish is run and how it spends its money.

"The community is very dear to me and I would not rule out becoming a parish councillor again, as I believe a well run parish can do a lot of good in the community."

He continued: "The current clerk has been given twice the hours of all the previous clerks had as contractual hours. "Hence, it would be worrying if she did not get more done.

This is public money, therefore should be spent in a fair transparent and honest way; not moved from a "Covid-19 emergency fund".

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Mr Thomas also called Mr Franks a 'lazy councillor' to which Mr Franks responded: "Your claim that I am lazy is ridiculous. I am putting my life at risk as a NHS worker during a pandemic.

"I still had time to go on parish council's grants committee in the spring and the chair of the planning committee."

Another reader, going by the name Smile&wave, replied to Mr Franks.

They said: "Sounds like you have a real issue with the Clerk."

Another reader, going by the username DockyardDoris, said: "It is so difficult to get people to stand to be Parish Councillors.

"After reading this you can see why.

"The bottom line is that the Clerk needs to be paid more, but not from a special Covid-19 fund.

"The Chairman has no right to stop a Councillor expressing their viewpoint.

"It appears that the Council members could do with some training.

"It is sad Mr Franks resigned because he clearly has much to give as a Parish Councillor."

He added: "Let's hope you are able to find someone to replace him."

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One user, More Questions, questioned: "How was ex-councillor Franks behaving to be muted by the chair?"

Another reader, Andrew:Oxford, pointed out: "Zoom automatically transcribes meetings, well depending on which version you have.

"Would be good to see the original Zoom transcription up to the point of censorship."

He added that Mr Franks should "demand a copy of the recording of the meeting and put it on Youtube."

Norton manor, another user on the Oxford Mail website, questioned: "Do they still have enough people to run a Parish council? If not why continue?"

In response to Mr Franks resignation, the Clerk, Emma Kearney, said: "Blackbird Leys Parish Council acknowledged and accepted Mark Franks’ resignation, thanked him for his efforts whilst being a councillor, and also wished him every success in whatever he chooses to do in his life’s ventures."