January 21, 2020 10.59 am
This story is over 21 months old
Boston council leader resigns after ‘conspiracy’ against him
He jumped before he was pushed
Councillor Aaron Spencer was the leader of Boston Borough Council until January 2020 - he has since only attended three out of nine meetings across Boston and Lincolnshire County Council.
One of the youngest council leaders in the country has stepped down after just six months in the role.
Conservative Councillor Aaron Spencer, who took on the job at Boston Borough Council in July 2019 at the age of 27, has resigned as leader of the council and moved to become independent.
Speaking to Local Democracy Reporters today, he accused his former party of conspiring against him.
He said he had been given an option to resign or face a vote of no confidence.
“I said I would resign because I didn’t want to be part of the party,” he said.
“I have said time and again that I didn’t want to engage in highly petty politics.
“They’re old Tories who just want to put party first.
“I have also said publicly I have been putting the town first, above the party and they don’t like that.”
“They wanted a leader who was going to be a bit of a puppet and I’m not like that.”
“It’s a shame because it will be the town that suffers really.”
He said, however, that if councillors proposed him to be leader again he would accept the role.
“I’ve got a lot more to give,” he said.
“If councillors want the best for the town they need to look into themselves and think how do we move forward and if I’m the person who comes to mind as someone with the youth, ambition and vision I will take that mantle on again.”
Councillor Nigel Welton. will take on the role of acting leader.
He said accusations levelled at him regarding his removal of former leader Councillor Michael Cooper from planning committee and that his work for former councillor portfolio tourism holder Alistair Arundell were just “excuses”.
He told reporters he had experienced hostility from Councillor Cooper since events last July, while his employment as general manager at Boston West Golf Club over the festive period had been “legal and above board”.
He added his short tenure at the council had been “hard, really hard.”
“I have put my heart and soul into this and I thought people had my back and were friends with me.”
A spokesman for the authority confirmed that deputy leader Councillor Nigel Welton will act as leader until the authority votes on a new one.
Councillor Spencer’s official Facebook page and Twitter accounts have alsohave been taken down.
Conservative members at the council have been contacted for comment.
Bostonian Independent Group member Councillor Neill Hastie told Local Democracy Reporters this morning: “I don’t know the reason why he has stepped down, all I do know is it is a great loss to the town losing him as the leader of the council especially with the alternative options on offer.
“I’m glad he’s staying as anindependent and look forward to working closely with him in the future.”
Former Boston Borough Council leader Michael Cooper stepped down last July,
Councillor Spencer took over from former leader Councillor Michael Cooper who stepped down to pursue his own business ventures.
After taking the reins in July last year, Councillor Spencer became one of the youngest in the country.
The latest move will leave the council set up with 15 Conservative group members, seven Independents, five Bostonian Independents, two Labour group members and one unspecified.
It means the Conservatives are currently equal in number to their opposition.
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Children and families in Hemswell Cliff now have a newly-refurbished play park to enjoy.
West Lindsey District Council and the Hemswell Resident Company have been working to re-invest part of their service charges to improve the area for all.
Head Teacher at Hemswell Cliff Primary School Mrs Angie Waplington, confirmed that local children have already been making the most out of the fun, new facilities on offer.
She said: “The children love the new equipment, and the park is well used.”
Families and children are enjoying the new space.
West Lindsey Community Policing Inspector, Gary Brockie, said: “Our local policing team works closely with the council to reduce incidents of ASB and the negative impact this can have on our communities, and we wholeheartedly support the actions being taken to improve facilities for local residents.
“Play areas like this provide young people with positive opportunity to exercise and socialise in safe environments and also provide support for parents.”
We are appealing for witnesses after a woman was assaulted on Albion Street Spalding on Saturday 27 November between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.
Our force control room received a report that a woman in her 20s was assaulted by a man who grabbed her around the neck and forced her to the ground.
We believe the male suspect may have followed the victim over the footbridge from the High Street and onto Albion Street where the incident happened.
Reports suggest that three men came to the rescue of the woman and confronted the man before he left the scene. There are also reports that a passing motorist may have stopped briefly and spoken with these three men.
We are currently pursuing a number of enquiries into this incident but we are particularly keen to identify and speak with these men who appear to have intervened and helped the victim.
It is likely that they have had close contact with the suspect and may have information that will help to identify him.
We would also like to hear from anybody who was in the area of Albion Street or High Street between the hours of 5.30 and 6.30pm on Saturday evening that may be able to assist with this enquiry.
Anybody with any information including dashcam footage, please contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting Inc 351 – 27/11/21.
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