A parish council which became famous for a foul-mouthed Zoom meeting during lockdown is changing its name to move on from its “toxic” past.

A video of the online December gathering of Handforth Parish Council went viral after it was published on Twitter in February, gaining more than six million views.

When stand-in clerk Jackie Weaver was told she had “no authority here” it became a meme, with jokes being shared on social media.

Three councillors were removed from the meeting. One yelled at her to “read the standing orders”, while another was heard mumbling “f*** off” under their breath.

Ms Weaver told Sky News she had “never seen anything like it”.

New chairman John Smith said the council had been renamed Handforth Town Council to “move away from the toxic side of Handforth”.

He added: “We have a new name and three new councillors and along with the other remaining councillors are committed to improving Handforth.

“We are also moving away from the viral, toxic Handforth Parish Council as portrayed on YouTube and are leaving it behind.”

Mr Smith said there was a feeling among councillors that residents would find it easier to identify with a secular-sounding name as opposed to the religious connotations of “parish”.

“For those of a certain age, the Vicar of Dibley comes to mind,” he explained.

Jackie Weaver, who is no longer acting clerk, has published a book called You Do Have The Authority Here!

She will be switching on the town’s Christmas lights later this month.

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