Councillor quits as panel chair as defection row continues
Maidenhead: Mr Singh resigned after a motion of no confidence
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Cllr Gurch Singh has resigned as chair from a council scrutiny panel, after learning of a vote of no confidence. He left the Conservative group last month.
A councillor who controversially left the Conservative group last month resigned his chairmanship of a scrutiny panel at a heated meeting this week.
On Monday night, Cllr Gurch Singh (Con, St Mary’s) resigned from his post on the infrastructure overview and scrutiny (O&S) panel after learning of a motion of no confidence from fellow panel members last week.
The councillor left the Conservative party on June 17 and joined as a pending member of the Royal Borough Liberal Democrats – a day after opposition members voted for him to become chair of the infrastructure panel.
On the same day as his departure from the Conservatives, council leader Andrew Johnson (Con, Hurley and Walthams) published a post on his official Facebook page stating that Cllr Singh had been informed earlier that day that he was to be suspended from the RBWM Conservatives pending further investigation into his conduct.
A campaign has also been launched for a byelection by Conservativevoting residents in his ward.
At the end of Monday’s meeting, Cllr Singh resigned as chairman, reading a prepared statement.
He said: “As we emerge from COVID-19 restrictions, rebuild the local economy and undertake a massive redevelopment of Maidenhead town centre, we face a considerable infrastructural challenge.
“It is therefore vital for this panel to fulfil its duties without unnecessary or politically motivated distractions.
“Last week a motion of no confidence in my chairmanship was tabled by the Conservative group and it was signed by all three of the group’s representatives of this panel.
“I’m disappointed, but sadly not surprised, that you have taken this road instead of discussing your concerns directly with me.
“My instinct was to ignore the motion and give it the contempt that it deserves.
“However, the reality is that you represent the majority on this panel and it makes it impossible for me to continue the role without hindering the work programme and residents’ interests.
“Now that that’s in place I can step away, content that we’re in a good position to challenge the administration policy and assumptions, and scrutinise their directions.
“Therefore, in closing this meeting, I simultaneously resign as chair with immediate effect.”
Cllr Singh closed the meeting without receiving further comments from his fellow councillors regarding his resignation.