FED-UP residents are seeking to issue a vote of no confidence in an under-fire parish council after a fiercely protected building’s name was changed without permission.

Emotional members of the community spoke out after Great Houghton Miners’ Welfare Hall, on Rotherham Road, had its village name dropped in favour of using the late councillor Dorothy Higginbottom’s name.

Dorothy - a former Mayor of Barnsley - clocked up almost 55 years’ service on Great Houghton Parish Council, who use the hall as their home, and died aged 80 in 2022.

Plans for a ‘fitting tribute’ in her memory were discussed having been put forward by Coun Ashley Peace, who currently represents the North East ward where Dorothy served.

A public backlash ensued when it was discovered that the Royal Mail had rubber-stamped its name change without consultation, which led several parish councillors to step down and its chair Dorothy Coates - who is also the daughter of the late councillor - to condemn the abuse she had received.

This week, residents have outlined their plans to issue a vote of no confidence in the group, claiming that the relationship between the body and the public has ‘broken down’.

However, clerk Martin Fensome has hit back at claims he was responsible - and instead turned the blame on the Royal Mail.

“Royal Mail did it without informing us,” he said.

“I was asked to make enquiries, if it was possible to change the name, and what the process would be.

“The next thing I got, which I only got after the meetings, was that they’d done it.

“I didn’t know and Dorothy (Coates) didn’t know.

“If we’d have known, we’d have said.

“I haven’t spoken to anybody, I’ve sent three emails.

“I’ve asked for an explanation and I haven’t got it.

“They’ve changed it back - there’s nothing underhand.”

Residents attended what was scheduled to be a parish council meeting on Wednesday but with a number of resignations, holidays and illnesses, only the retiring clerk, new clerk and Coun Coates attended, so the meeting could not go ahead.

There are currently five council vacancies, and six parish councillors remaining, following the recent resignations.

Residents asked Coun Coates if the parish council would apologise.

“I can say I’m sorry that Royal Mail did that, I’m not privy to any of that,” she said.

“Martin made an enquiry - after that, I can’t explain anymore.

“What I can tell you is there was no instruction to change it, only to make enquiries.

“This is a sad issue - people have taken some elements of fact and flipped them to post their own agenda and narrative.

“The personal attacks on Facebook have been shameful and upsetting for the parish council and our families.”

The Chronicle contacted the Royal Mail for a comment.