Council row breaks out over the harbour

Cabinet and scrutiny disagree over best way forward at port

Two of Scarborough Council’s most influential committees are in a war of words over the future of the harbour. The council’s overview and scrutiny board ordered a review of the fishing sector at Scarborough Harbour in 2017, and created a task force to compile a report.

During a cabinet meeting last month, Cllr Mike Cockerill, portfolio holder for Major Projects, said that while he appreciated the recommendations, any development would need to be considered “from a holistic view point” rather than just focusing on the fishing sector.

He added that the portfolio holder, himself, should have been consulted.

However, members of the scrutiny committee have called in the decision of the cabinet, pointing out that it believes the best way to examine the future is taking it one stage at a time.

Council leader Derek Bastiman has now urged councillors to adopt a unified approach to help form a “wholescale” review.

Recommendations by the task force include funding for better boat maintenance facilities and the creation of a local “shellfish brand” or lobster hatchery.

Cllr Bastiman said: “We appreciate the work they [the task group] has done. Rather than compartmental options we want to look at it as a whole.

“There’s no good looking at it as bits.

“We are not after causing mischief, we want a unified, non-political approach.”

Labour councillor Tony Randerson, who sits of the scrutiny committee and has called in the cabinet’s decision said: “I agree with Cllr Bastiman that it should not be political. However, there does seem to be confusion from the cabinet about the scrutiny committee functions. I am hoping we can clarify this for them.”

‘There does seem to be confusion from the cabinet’ Cllr Tony Randerson