Police called to clear out public
Five officers called after clapping during the latest No confidence discussion on SBC leaders
Police were called to Scarborough Town Hall to clear out members of the public during the latest vote of no confidence in the council leadership.
A vote of no confidence in Scarborough Council’s leader and cabinet descended into farce after police were called following attempts to remove members of the public for applauding.
Mayor Cllr Martin Smith had warned the 20-strong crowd in the town hall’s public gallery after one round of applause during the debate and when a smaller smattering of applause rang out he ordered the council chamber to be cleared and brought the meeting to halt.
The public refused to budge and, as councillors sheepishly mingled around, FIVE police officers arrived at the town hall.
However, following a 20-minute break the mayor reappeared and sent the meeting straight to a vote.
Earlier, the councillors had been told that the eight members of the cabinet would be allowed to vote and, as so the Conservatives, along with independents Vanda Inman, Bill Chatt and Mick Cockerill easily defeated the UKIP no confidence motion by 25 votes to 19.
Cllr San Cross brought the motion following votes of no confidence from Filey and Whitby town councils.
In a terse exchange he was pressed to clear up “allegations” he had made about the cabinet online, regarding the Futurist and other matters.
Council leader Cllr Derek Bastiman in dismissing Cllr Cross said he was “bitter” after being voted out in the elections in May. Cllr Cross responded in kind to Cllr Bastiman that he “did not have to answer” to him.
Cllr Steve Siddons, leader of the Labour Group said: “The vote of no confidence debate predictable turned into a fiasco as the UKIP Leader had not done his homework and subsequently lost the vote. However the debate has not gone away and a number of key concerns are being masked. The council did nothing to allay disquiet of residents.”
Although the council de- feated Futurist campaigners, there are questions about the manner of doing so.