Accusations of a stitch-up
WITH reference to The Gazette article in connection with Redcar and Cleveland councillors accusing Labour of cutting deals with the Lib Dems to take control of the council (Leader calls for unity amid ‘stitch-up’ claim – The Gazette 30.05.23)
Surely this is a coalition (a temporary combination between parties) despite denial by both the Lib Dems and Labour? Labour now need to secure 30 votes (they have 23) every time they want to pass eg. a policy/cabinet decision in full council, so interesting times ahead for us all.
What residents should know is that council scrutiny committees are the important format in council to hold the cabinet and ruling administration to account on behalf of the residents of the borough and have the power to call in these proposals/decisions, so chairs of these should be held by the true opposition in any council in the name of democracy.
Let’s hope that the councillors who take up the cabinet and scrutiny chairs have the experience behind them to carry out these important roles on behalf of the people of the borough in these very difficult times.
All councillors are there to serve, work and speak for the people with good stewardship and should honour the constitution of the council without fear or favour. Is it time for politicians (MPs and councillors) to be appraised annually? As some work much harder than others.
After all, they are paid out of the public purse by the taxpayer/council taxpayer respectively.
Ann Higgins, Normanby
Still no answer on cycle lanes cash
THE cycle lane on Linthorpe Road proved to be very controversial, and one of the election promises made by the new Labour mayor Chris Cooke was that he would remove it.
Was that just an “off the cuff” remark to win votes or had it been looked at and discussed behind the scenes to ensure it was financially possible, before making the promise.
That promise was made weeks ago. He has been asked where the money will come from with which to do it (no answer yet) and there’s no sign on Linthorpe Road that work is about to start. We are now in an age where people expect answers.
Charles Saunders,
Middlesbrough
Surely there are other presenters?
AM I missing the point? All I’ve read is poor Phillip Schofield. My derrière.
He’s the master of his own demise. Is he the only person in the British Isles qualified to present breakfast telly? He’s been around forever – what’s wrong with bringing in fresh faces?
Not that I’m the least bit interested as I don’t watch breakfast TV anyway.
I was more baffled that he and Holly Willoughby were allowed to jump the queue at the Queen’s lying in state, treated as if they were close family or members of state. They’re TV presenters, for crying out loud.
Looks like he’ll be headed back to the broom cupboard to stay.
Brendan McDermott,Thornaby
Scrutiny panels not what was pledged
WHEN three of the mayoral candidates were interviewed on top of the MIMA building, it was televised.
One statement made by the elected Labour mayor Chris Cooke brings into question either his integrity or how little authority he has within the Labour group here.
He stated he wanted “chairs of scrutiny (panels) completely divided between the whole political spectrum” but the opposite has happened!
Not only are all chairs now occupied by Labour councillors, indeed at least one has two chairs, one offering a higher extra allowance than the other.
Let’s see which one is claimed for and why could not the spare chairs be offered to non-Labour councillors? Why did he change his mind within two weeks or was his mind changed for him?
Labour has a new motto it seems – “money and control.”
Joan McTigue, Ward Councillor