Lib Dem support for Labour rebel

REBEL Labour councillor Kevin Bennett (pictured), who is in dispute with the ruling Labour group on Warrington Borough Council and the council’s solicitor, has won support from an unexpected source – the leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group.
Cllr Bennett claims a legitimate question he posed at last month’s full council meeting was struck off the agenda on the instructions of a senior Labour councillor.
He has lodged official complaints against the council and solicitor Tim Date – and has given advance notice of a further question he plans to ask at next Monday’s council meeting.
The question is: “Can the leader of the council explain to council members, why a legitimate question put forward within the constitutional guidelines was struck from the agenda at the last full council meeting?”
Cllr Ian Marks, the Liberal Democrat leader has given notice of two questions for next week’s meeting.
First he will ask: “Can the leader or deputy leader confirm that they instructed the council’s solicitor to withdraw a question deemed to be constitutional from the agenda for the last council?”
He will then ask how members of the public or members of the opposition parties be assured that if they wish to ask a valid question at council it will be put?”
Cllr Marks is also to move a resolution that the council, in the interests of openness and transparency, agree to the introduction of a standing agenda item at full council for members to ask questions not previously notified.
Cllr Bennett is currently suspended as a member of the Labour group on the council after voting against the party whip.