Grappling cuts will be council leader's priority
TODAY North East Lincolnshire's new councillors are continuing to settle into their roles.
However, it has not all been smooth sailing for NELC's leader Councillor Andrew De Freitas, who has faced criticism from independent and Tory councillors, some of which claim he had tried to secure support by offering key council posts.
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Councillor Andrew De Freitas
As reported, this week's Annual General Meeting of NELC ended fears power would remain hung after the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives tied with 15 seats each following the last local elections.
Labour – which now holds 10 seats – gave its support to the Lib Dems – securing minority control for the Lib Dems for a second term.
As such, the Lib Dems still hold all cabinet posts, Labour councillors have been voted into almost half the council's key committee positions, while the Tories held on to just one committee seat.
Councillor Jon Paul Howarth (Ind), claimed: "I was offered a place on a panel with a Special Responsibility Allowance, if "they" could rely on my vote."
Councillor Keith Brookes, the leader of the local Conservative party said he felt the Lib Dems and Labour had "run roughshod over the public."
However, Mr De Freitas denied that any "deal" had been done, adding he believed the nominated Labour members were the best people available to chair the health, leisure, housing, planning and community protection scrutiny panels.
To read the arguments from all parties in full, see today's Grimsby Telegraph.
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by josephine white, Grimsby
Monday, May 31 2010, 12:56PM
“Don't worry Observer .. it was up for long enough!”
by Observer, Town Hall Square
Monday, May 31 2010, 10:56AM
“Hmmm!
Seems my post about Political Corruption has either touched a nerve or has met with someone's disapproval!
Wonder why?”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Monday, May 31 2010, 12:39AM
“Ever tried to stop being part of the "bleat,whinge and moan" brigade.Jo?”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Monday, May 31 2010, 12:29AM
“I think, what you fail to understand,Jo,are certain things. That elder asked an English person for some help. International recognition. Probably nothing to do with me,but I did at least try.”
by crackpot judge, gy
Sunday, May 30 2010, 5:39PM
“AH, lets start by buying some new Community Pride council vans and then spending an extra £600 in stickers on it. Lets a buy a Sports Development large Transit van and spend a extra £1000 on stickers for it. Lets buy a refuse lorry and spend an extra £3000 on stickers for it. THATS A GOOD START ISNT IT, BECAUSE THATS WHATS HAPPENED. You will see them driving around town.”
by josephine white, Grimsby
Sunday, May 30 2010, 3:58PM
“Observer wrote: "All we need now is for JPH and NW, both having made public statements about the offers made, to lay that information before the appropriate authorities."
And God Bless the Internet too!”
by Observer, Town Hall Square
Sunday, May 30 2010, 3:21PM
“David wrote: "Nice bit of googling cut/copy paste there".
Thank you David, for your compliment, much appreciated. I can Google,Cut, Copy, Edit and Paste with the best of 'em.
It is a useful method of disseminating information.
All we need now is for JPH and NW, both having made public statements about the offers made, to lay that information before the appropriate authorities. Possibly the Standards Board for England or the Executive Committees of the Political Parties involved or both.”
by josephine white, Grimsby
Sunday, May 30 2010, 2:56PM
“David wrote: "Nice bit of googling cut/copy paste there".
And what's wrong with Google OR cut & Paste?
I don't understand some people .. we have this wonderful, amazing tool at our disposal which (for the first time in history) allows the ordinary person to find out about almost anything at the click of a mouse .. and people get vilified for using it!!”
by josephine white, Grimsby
Sunday, May 30 2010, 2:53PM
“David wrote: "Now look up benefit fraud".
Why?
Whats that got to do with the topic under discussion, David?”
by David Sanderson, Grimsby
Sunday, May 30 2010, 2:49PM
“Nice bit of googling cut/copy paste there, now look up BENEFIT FRAUD.”