Plea for fresh, more respected leadership

Politics globally, nationally and now, it would seem, even at a local level, are turning what was always assumed to be the norm in politics totally on its head.

“Populist politics” as it has become known, is now emerging at a local level, with some voting to demonstrate that they hold a significant lack of confidence in the Scarborough Borough Council leader Derek Bastiman (and his chosen cabinet members) and the lack of ability to show openness and transparency.

Frustration is now being demonstrated in a way and to a degree we have never seen before in the borough.

So what is the problem that we have here in local government in Scarborough – at what should be the most basic level of government?

Undoubtedly the catalyst for this what one might call the “Scarborough Spring” has been what is regarded by many of the electorate (and beyond) as the Futurist debacle and what is perceived, by many, to be the poor decision to allocate finances to demolish the Futurist, seemingly with money the council does not have and is having to borrow.

This is accompanied by a strong belief that if a developer wants the site, then they should pay for the demolition and everything that goes with it.

Consequently, many believe that the style of leadership demonstrated by Cllr Bastiman, and his cabinet, appears to be inconsistent with the expectations of the electorate.

When we have a disillusioned Whitby Town Council expressing a vote of No confidence then surely they, as an elected council, cannot be written off as being simply vexatious.

Nor can one disregard the opinions of nearly 2,400 people across the borough who have also expressed serious concerns over how our town is run in an online petition, and about how decisions are made in secrecy and without accountability, the apparent lack of openness and transparency and the inability to accept criticism.

Some ... in fact many ... see the present style of leadership as outright arrogant.

But less-than-poor service should not be confined to the cabinet. At the base of this pyramid of poor service, power lies with the officers. The Ben Marriott scandal, for instance, which could have, and still should have, seen a higher level of independent scrutiny, springs to mind.

The Town Hall also appears to be shifting the responsibility for their part in the latest parking fiasco to North Yorkshire County Council at County Hall.

Cllr Bastiman could mend his broken reputation, and that of the council, by resigning.

That would allow someone else who is able to listen and take on board views of people to take the helm without the apparent arrogance exhibited by some.

I am saying what a large proportion of the population of this borough are thinking whenever the words “Scarborough Borough Council” is mentioned. Bob Roberts

Tuthill Scarborough