Lib Dem fury over stitch-up

LIBERAL Democrats at Warrington have accused the Conservative and Labour parties in Cheshire of a “stitch-up” over appointments to the Police Authority.
They have removed the sole Liberal Democrat, Warrington’s Cllr Peter Walker, and added an extra Conservative in his place.
According to Cllr Ian Marks (pictured), leader of the Liberal Democrats on the borough council, this was done in breach of Police Authority regulations.
In fact, the authority is to be wound-up in November when a new Police Commissioner is elected.
Cllr Marks said: “It is quite clear that Police Authority Regulations 2008 must be used and that Section 8 requires political proportionality across the Cheshire area as a whole.
“This advice was ignored so there has been a failure to follow legislation.”
Cllr Marks said he had written asked for the appointing committee to be recalled so the decision to be reconsidered.
Based on the results of the May elections, the make up of the authority should have been Labour 5, Conservative 3 and Liberal Democrats 1.
“Appointments to the Police Authority are not too important because they only have a few months to run. The reason the issue is important because it sets a precedent for appointments to the new Police and Crime Panels, where the rules are less clear than those set out in Police Authority Regulations.”
Cllr Marks said he asked Warrington Council’s executive board to contact the Home Office to tell them what had happened and to ask for clear guidelines about the appointment of members to the new panels and for an independent appeals procedure in case of dispute.
“Sadly the council voted down our motion so we will pursue the matter ourselves.”
Cllr Keith Gleave, Lib Dem, who seconded the motion added, “Lib Dems in Cheshire deserve to be represented and decisions must be made in an open and transparent manner.”

Jhonatan on 11th August 2012 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

Dave,I’m afraid our sysetm of local government is broken. Too much direction from above and badly hampered by party politics. I’m a former Metropolitan District Councillor for Sefton MBC, from 1980 -1987. For a while the Council was controlled by a single party and the opposition could posture as much as we liked (I was part of the opposition). We used to argue to the public, Vote for us and smash the Tories’, at both local and National elections, but frankly we were misleading the electorate. I also, very quickly, became aware of the internal struggles in political parties. Churchill was right to caution people to watch those behind you, rather than those in front of you. Even today the local Sefton MBC Tories have just announced a further falling out, 11 only now holding the whip.In short over time since 1974 there are too many Councillors who have allowed themselves to be dominated by Party Political concerns before the need of electorate. My most intriguing experience was serving on the Sefton Local Strategic Partnership by now as an independent representative of Sefton’s Parish and Town Councils (From 2000-07). Here I found calm detailed examination of the wider communities’ aspirations hopes and aims as set out in the Strategic Plan. Needless to say once the local Councillors spotted my appointment on this body, they started to attend and interfere with expressions of fear about their role etc!They continue to fight over the bones of a reorganisation of neighbourhood management’.Oddly enough, having painted this picture of disarray, I would support the need for more councillors, but for independent Town and Parish Councillors rooted in their communities, accessible and accountable, they also do it for free!’ So I support the idea of clear strategic thinking but working in partnership with very locally based community councils, ones where representatives are seen walking around the local shopping ccntre and are known. Remote Cabinet members are invisible and therefore not democratic though an elected Mayor with personality and talent may prove a useful leader/figurehead and focus for the wider civic life we should all be living.I must stop now, I hope some of this makes sense, but I’ve got a meeting at one of our local allotments.Sean BradyIndependent Parish CouncillorFormby Parish Council

2 Comments

council tax payer on 27th June 2012 9:44 am 9:44 am

If this is is all Councillor Marks and his colleagues can argue then his party in Cheshire will probably go the same way as the Police Authority. There must be more important matters to be debated.

Jhonatan on 11th August 2012 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

Dave,I’m afraid our sysetm of local government is broken. Too much direction from above and badly hampered by party politics. I’m a former Metropolitan District Councillor for Sefton MBC, from 1980 -1987. For a while the Council was controlled by a single party and the opposition could posture as much as we liked (I was part of the opposition). We used to argue to the public, Vote for us and smash the Tories’, at both local and National elections, but frankly we were misleading the electorate. I also, very quickly, became aware of the internal struggles in political parties. Churchill was right to caution people to watch those behind you, rather than those in front of you. Even today the local Sefton MBC Tories have just announced a further falling out, 11 only now holding the whip.In short over time since 1974 there are too many Councillors who have allowed themselves to be dominated by Party Political concerns before the need of electorate. My most intriguing experience was serving on the Sefton Local Strategic Partnership by now as an independent representative of Sefton’s Parish and Town Councils (From 2000-07). Here I found calm detailed examination of the wider communities’ aspirations hopes and aims as set out in the Strategic Plan. Needless to say once the local Councillors spotted my appointment on this body, they started to attend and interfere with expressions of fear about their role etc!They continue to fight over the bones of a reorganisation of neighbourhood management’.Oddly enough, having painted this picture of disarray, I would support the need for more councillors, but for independent Town and Parish Councillors rooted in their communities, accessible and accountable, they also do it for free!’ So I support the idea of clear strategic thinking but working in partnership with very locally based community councils, ones where representatives are seen walking around the local shopping ccntre and are known. Remote Cabinet members are invisible and therefore not democratic though an elected Mayor with personality and talent may prove a useful leader/figurehead and focus for the wider civic life we should all be living.I must stop now, I hope some of this makes sense, but I’ve got a meeting at one of our local allotments.Sean BradyIndependent Parish CouncillorFormby Parish Council