Opposition councillors at North East Lincolnshire Council have failed in their bid to oust authority leader Councillor Philip Jackson over business links between his former deputy leader and a convicted fraudster.
A Labour motion before the authority’s full council on Thursday called for a vote of no confidence in Conservative Councillor Jackson, accusing him of failing to take decisive action or an independent investigation into Councillor John Fenty’s links with convicted fraudster Alex May.
Councillor Fenty stood down as deputy leader in December 2020 after it was revealed the former chairman of Grimsby Town FC had invited Mr May to meet with club directors, and that the convicted con artist had also met with senior council officials.
Mr May, formerly known as Alick Kapikanya, led a gang targeting elderly house-owners in 2007 in Manchester. He managed to steal £3.5 million and tried to steal another £3.3 million.
He was jailed for six years for his part in the scam.
He had started a company with Councillor Fenty but, according to the latter, it had never started trading and they had since split as business partners.
Labour said Councillor Jackson standing down would “give the council a fresh start”.
Members said a full investigation should have taken place into any conflicts of interest at meetings with Mr May and who was in attendance, with allegations made that residents were continuing to question the events or even “laughing” at the council.
Labour leader Matthew Patrick said: “Despite the welcome and much-needed resignation of Councillor Fenty from his cabinet position, the leader […] who appointed Councillor Fenty despite protests from opposition members, has failed to either act decisively in the public interest over events, or be seen to do so.
“Councillor Jackson has failed in his duty to uphold the integrity of his office, failed to meet the standard of conduct expected by residents, and moreover, has allowed his cabinet to risk being seen to breach the Nolan principles of office.”
Fellow Labour member Councillor Debbie Rodwell said there were a number of unanswered questions and that there hadn’t been an opportunity previously to raise the issue in a public forum.
She accused Councillor Jackson of avoiding questions asked at previous meetings.
“We’realwayssayingis,it’sreallyimportanttobetransparent.Andonthisissue wefeelthatthecouncillorjustwasn’ttransparent,andthepublicdeservesanswers,” she said.
Alex May was convicted of fraud in 2007.
However, Councillor Jackson said the move was a “shallow political stunt in the run up to the elections”.
“If Councillor Patrick really believes that Councillor Fenty and I have failed to uphold the integrity of our respective offices or not met the standard of conduct expected, then why has it taken him three months to take any action when there is a process for exactly this sort of situation within the council’s constitution,” he said.
“He’s failed to do this, so he’s the one who’s demonstrating lack of leadership.”
He said he was satisfied that councillor Fenty had acted “assiduously” in stepping away from his role and added that no member of the public had made a formal complaint or triggered the standards process.
“This motion is long on innuendo rumour and allegations, which have no substance.”
Councillor Jackson then went on to list what he considered the failure of leadership of his opposite member, including the Toll Bar Roundabout, children’s services and alternatives to the Tory budget.
“This is a distraction from the important progress that this administration under my leadership is making.
He added that, instead, Councillor Patrick should be the one to resign.
Councillor Jackson was backed by his party, including Councillor Ron Shepherd, who said his leader had the full support of colleagues.
“Councillor Jackson leads from the front and has spearheaded the group’s rise to being the party in administration,” he said.
Humberston and New Waltham councillor Stan Shreeve was appointed as the new deputy leader of the council following Councillor Fenty stepping down.
Councillor Fenty remains a councillor for Humberston and New Waltham, but has previously confirmed he does not intend to stand again in May.
Following the revelations, Grimsby Town Football Club revealed they had rejected Mr May’s offer to the club.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Dr Who is believed to be heading to Lincolnshire for its 60th anniversary special after Belton House’s upcoming closure for filming sparked excitement for fans of the TV show.
Belton House near Grantham recently confirmed its estate will be closed between July 17-21 and August 1-6 for “filming”, while the mansion will be shut between July 17 and August 19.
Although the exact nature of the filming hasn’t be officially confirmed, a popular fan page – Doctor Who Page – with over 50,000 followers was among the sources to say: “Filming on the 60th anniversary is rumoured to be taking place at Belton House in the coming weeks.”
A spokesperson for Belton House said: “I can understand some people not liking the timing of the closure but it will bring in extra money to help keep Belton house running. We can’t disclose any further information about the filming at this time.”
It is rumoured that the opening episode of the 60th anniversary series will be shown on New Year’s Day 2023, which will see the return of David Tennant and Catherine Tate who previously played the Doctor and his assistant.
Jodie Whittaker returns as the thirteenth doctor for the three episodes with the final special set to be the last one featuring her in the role. Actor Ncuti Gatwa will make his debut as the fourteenth doctor after Jodie Whittaker.
A lot of fans are hoping the original writer of the new generation of show – Russell T Davies – will return Dr Who to its roots and give it new energy following criticism over the most recent series’.
There is speculation that Belton House could be used as a haunted house after Davies posted a ghost emoji on a post about the show.
— Doctor Who Production News (@DoctorWhoPN) July 2, 2022
Some observations: filming for that long that far away from Cardiff is not a day trip. Cast and crew will be put up in local hotels. The timing also suggests extensive set building/takedown on the property. #dwsrhttps://t.co/ShGzyXjVZq
— Doctor Who Production News (@DoctorWhoPN) July 2, 2022
Lincolnshire County Council has dropped its plans for more resident parking in the Bailgate area in uphill Lincoln.
Council officers were adamant the impact of the revised plans would be less harmful than the original, however, some councillors were still not convinced.
Currently, anyone can park in these areas for an hour between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, however, the latest changes to the scheme would have seen two existing parking zones extended for residents’ use.
Parking Zone 4A would see waiting bays on Chapel Lane and Westgate reduced by eight from 13 to five, while permit bays would increase from 21-31. This would also mean the council could increase the number of permits competing for the spaces from 60 to 76.
Meanwhile Newport along with Church Lane, Northgate, Bailgate and Eastgate would see the number of limited waiting bays increase from 68 to 70, but permit bays would also be increased from 33 to 46 by extending parking permit zone 4G and creating a number of dual bays. The number of eligible permits would jump from 50 to 134.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Planning Committee on July 4. | Image: Daniel Jaines
Officers said the scheme would give permit holders the ability to park close to their homes, but admitted it would reduce on street parking for visitors whose “custom supports the businesses and local economy, although to a lesser degree than proposed originally.”
Ward councillor Rob Parker (Labour) said government policy supported creating place and local businesses.
He also pointed to a fragile economy. He said the spaces were used by frequent visitors for shopping, rather than tourists.
However, he said the scheme would benefit “substantially” residents.
He said other schemes have reduced alternative nearby parking and affected their ability to “conduct their lives in an acceptable manner”.
Fellow ward councillor Karen Lee (labour) said the parking “has an impact on the lives of residents” as well as businesses.
“To simply say this is about the businesses isn’t appropriate,” she said.
“The residents have demonstrated that they will share and that’s admirable.”
When they were originally announced, the plans divided opinion uphill.
However, in a sudden twist, Chairman Councillor Ian Fleetwood opted to propose “Option C… Leave it as it is”.
He said that way “the local residents can enjoy what they currently have, the businesses can enjoy what they currently have, and hopefully it will give a way forwards.”
He was backed by Councillor Paul Skinner who said: “There is a lot of pressure on both residents and businesses. Pressure the businesses feel is also from the internet. So I think it’s a very sensible suggestion.”
Meanwhile, Councillor Tom Ashton said he was “deeply troubled” by any suggestion of changing the use to resident parking.
He called it “uninspired” when placed in a “premier shopping street” in Lincoln.
Those against the plans had said the scheme would deter people from visiting the area and pose a threat to the viability of businesses.
They were backed by organisations such as Visit Lincoln and the Federation of Small Businesses.
However, those in support said the area was mainly residential and that the current parking offer discriminates against those living there.
Whatsapp
