Nettleham Parish Council Elected

The twelve members of Nettleham Parish Council have been elected following a contested election on Thursday, 7th May 2015. The count took place at the West Lindsey Leisure Centre, Gainsborough on Saturday, 9th May 2015 following the general and district council election counts.

The result of the election is as follows:

• 6th - Janice Clayton* 1,013 Elected
• 8th - John Downs* (Company Director) 935 Elected
• 7th - John Evans* 936 Elected
• 11th - Susan Harland* 774 Elected
• 3rd - John Hill* (Chartered Engineer) 1,037 Elected
• 2nd - Malcolm Leaning* (Retired) 1095 Elected
• 5th - Giles McNeill* 1,029 Elected
• 13th - Peter McNeill 617
• 14th - Richard Porter* 54
• 10th - Roger Sharp 829 Elected
• 12th - Joseph Siddall* 711 Elected
• 9th - Michael Spencer* 880 Elected
• 1st - Angela White (Independent) 1,155 Elected
• 4th - Terry Williams* (Environmental Lawyer (Rtd)) 1,040 Elected

*Seeking re-election to the parish council.

Two ballot papers were rejected because more candidates were voted for than permitted. One hundred and seventeen were rejected being unmarked or wholly void for uncertainty.

There was an electorate of 3,053 within the parish of Nettleham. 2,156 ballot papers were issued. Turnout was 70.62%

Nettleham Parish Council Faces Contested Election

The parish of Nettleham is one of eleven parishes in the West Lindsey District that will have a poll to determine who will serve as the twelve members of Nettleham Parish Council for the next four years.

The candidates are:

• Janice Clayton*
• John Downs* (Company Director)
• John Evans*
• Susan Harland*
• John Hill* (Chartered Engineer)
• Malcolm Leaning* (Retired)
• Giles McNeill*
• Peter McNeill
• Richard Porter*
• Roger Sharp
• Joseph Siddall*
• Michael Spencer*
• Angela White (Independent)
• Terry Williams* (Environmental Lawyer (Rtd))

* Indicated that this individual has previously served as a member of Nettleham Parish Council

Electors will be able to cast up to twelve votes in the election on Thursday, 7th May 2015 which is being held concurrently with General and District Council elections. The count is to be held on Saturday, 9th May 2015.

Nettleham Parish Council To Object to County Council Library Proposals

Last night Nettleham Parish Council decided to join with other parish, town and district councils across Lincolnshire in objecting to proposals brought forward by Lincolnshire County Council.

Lincolnshire County Council, like other local authorities across England, are dealing with a difficult financial settlement from central government. Substantial reductions, savings or new revenue stream need to be found to balance the authority's budget.

Among the ways to achieve this is a cut of 31% to the Library Service budget, which will require a reconfiguration of the service away from a local authority model to a model with greater community engagement, through the use of volunteers running libraries in rural areas. Nettleham is one library that the county council would like to see run by volunteers.

Nettleham Parish Council held an Extraordinary Meeting at Nettleham Village Hall, Brookfield Avenue to consider the county council's proposals. Cllr. Terry Williams, the Chairman opened the meeting and explained how the meeting would be conducted. He introduced his fellow councillors, the council's officers and welcome 35 members of the public. The Chairman outlined the county council's proposals before welcoming Mr. Gary Porter, from the Library Service, and Cllr. Mrs. Jackie Brockway, Conservative (Nettleham & Saxilby Division) to answer questions from the public.

Questions were asked about the process that political leaders would be taking, the county council's need to make spending reductions, difficulties at pilots with regard to volunteer access to computerised library management systems, the effect on reading groups and disabled access to alternative mobile library provision.

Following the question and answer session, Mr. Porter left the meeting. Residents were then given the opportunity to make their views on the proposals, all universally against the proposed changes.

Cllr. Mrs. Brockway made a statement, she outlined that she had been working hard to dissuade her colleagues at the county council from pursuing this policy and was not prepared to support it. She stated she was really please with the quality and thoughtfulness of the comments made by local residents and that it gave her encouragement.

Finally the members of the Parish Council would debate and discuss the matter. Each Parish Councillor spoke. Cllr. Malcolm Leaning - who is also a district councillor - Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward), harked back to his use and the arrangements of the bookcase at the Church Institute in the village.

Cllr. Giles McNeill, Conservative (Nettleham Ward), also a district councillor, spoke in favour of objecting to the county council's proposals. He said:

"There are plenty of arguments about the specific proposal for Nettleham and the proposals more generally. I would like to offer another option for those campaigning against these proposals to pursue. The County Council is run by a coalition of Liberal Democrats, Independents and the largest group is the Conservatives.

"The Liberal Democrats' manifesto from march makes no mention of the Library Service. However the Conservative Manifesto said this: 

"We will encourage more people to play their part in stronger communitites by encouraging volunteering and neighbourliness as well as a greater use of public buildings such as schools and libraries where approriate.  

"We Promise to... Continue a countywide library network with better access and opening hours. 

"I was Jackie's Agent in the recent local elections and Agent for nine other county candidates across the district, eight of the ten were elected. I have to say I am ashamed that so little regard is being paid to the promises made so recently."

Cllr. McNeill also stated that, following debate at the district council on the preceding Monday evening, he had joined the working party at West Lindsey District Council that would be submitting the district council's response to the proposals.

Cllr. Joseph Siddall described the 'consultation  document' as 'an insult to the word'. Whilst Cllr. Mrs. Janice Clayton, the Deputy Chairman of the Parish Council, wanted the county council to 'react positively to the public out cry and reconsider their position', however, she said she was 'a bit disappointed with the turnout tonight'.

Finally Cllr. Williams, address the meeting as a member of the Council, not in his capacity as Chairman, describing the proposal saying that the '31% reduction is wholly unreasonable' and that he hoped that as the provision of libraries was a statutory requirement that a case might be brought against the county council to the high court on the grounds that the decision was 'irrational', citing the use of the word in the case of the Police and Crime Commissioner's Suspension of the Chief Constable.

The Parish Council resolved to object in the strongest possible terms to the proposals for Nettleham Library and, without prejudice, would form a working party to put forward an expression of interest in a community led library bid for Nettleham; although it was made clear that this was a fall back position.

Councillor Initiative Fund Cash Available

West Lindsey's District Council's Local Councillor Initiative Fund enables each District Councillor to put forward proposals for expenditure in their Wards to fund projects or initiatives which benefit the local community. All applications submitted are considered and assessed against how they contribute towards the themes, priorities and outcomes of the district council's Corporate Plan 2011/14.


Cllr. Giles McNeill (left) and Cllr. Malcolm Leaning (Right)
with an 'Aqua Sac' near the Chruch Lane bridge, Nettleham.

Nettleham's district councillors Giles McNeill (Conservative) and Malcolm Leaning (Liberal Democrat), have worked together and secured £500 of funding for Nettleham Parish Council to buy additional hi-tech 'aqua-sac' sandbags to be used in any future flooding incidents in the village.
A total of £4,000 over the next two years is available to each district councillor. From April 2013 a new allocation of money will be available to all 37 of the district Councillors.

Cllr. McNeill siad:

"I think this is a really great scheme, even though I was only recently elected, last September, I have put what monies I had available to me to good use; £30 for Neighbourhood Watch signs in Westfield Approach and £500 for Community Get-Togethers in North Greetwell. £500 has gone to Nettleham Cricket Club to help with repairs and improvement of the practice nets at Mulsanne Park in Nettleham. £90 has also gone towards some photographic equipment for children at Nettleham Infant School.

Details of the scheme's criteria can be downloaded here.

West Lindsey is Home to Lincolnshire's Best Kept Village

Residents and parish councillors gathered in Nettleham this week for the unveiling of a bench recognising the village as one of the best kept in Lincolnshire.



Photo: M. Leaning

Nettleham was named as joint winner of the Best Kept Village 50th Anniversary award, organised by Community Lincs. Sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund, this special award was given to Nettleham - and also to Tealby - for having the most consistent scores in the past 50 years of the competition.
Pennells Garden Centres, which sponsor the annual award and donate trees to the winning villages each year, donated a bench to both of the overall winners. Managing director Richard Pennell said:

“These two villages over the years have been consistently good. The enthusiasm of the people involved and the care that they take is great.”

The Lincolnshire Best Kept Village competition has been run by Community Lincs since 1962. In that time Nettleham has won its category (for villages between 2,001 and 7,000 residents) 11 times, most recently in 2010. Tealby has won its category eight times, coming second on 10 occasions.

Speaking at the presentation of the bench on Nettleham village green, chairman of Nettleham Parish Council Cllr Terry Williams said: “This was very much a tri-partite effort. It was an effort on the part of our residents, businesses and the parish council.

“I thank the residents all for their contribution over a 50 year period, for making sure our gardens are kept neat and tidy.

“I also thank the businesses around the village for making sure their premises are neat and tidy and making sure they have flower displays.

“The contribution of the parish council has been making sure the verges are tidy and cut.”

Co-ordinator of the awards for Community Lincs, Teresa Palmer, said villages were judged on their presentation, including whether there was any litter, how memorials and churchyards were kept, whether wildlife is catered for, and community spirit. She said:

“One of the strong points of Nettleham is there are so many different groups and so much going on for all age groups.”

West Lindsey District Council has supported the competition for many years and both Nettleham district councillors, Cllr. Giles McNeill, Conservative and Cllr Malcolm Leaning, Liberal Democrat, attended the presentation. Cllr. Malcolm Leaning said:

 “I am delighted my home village of Nettleham, where I was born, has come equal first over the past 50 years in the ‘Best Kept Village in Lincolnshire’ competition.

“Having been a member of Nettleham Parish Council for 48 years I can remember the first time we voted to enter the competition in 1967 – which was also the first time we won it!

“The award of a seat will ‘sit’ and be well used on Nettleham village green.”

For more information go to http://lincolnshirebestkeptvillages.co.uk

West Lindsey District Council Refuse Planning Permission for Wind Farm

West Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee last night voted to refuse planning permission for a proposal to erect two 50Kw, 3 blade, 35m wind turbines at Normanby-by-Spital.

Local Councillors heard from local residents and the applicant's representative, together with County Councillor Lewis Strange, Conservative (Ancholme Cliff Division).

After some considerable discussion Cllr. Roger Patterson, Conservative (Scampton Ward) moved refusal of the application on the grounds that it was inconsistant with local planning policy. Specifically that because development should protect the environment, with regard to the impact on the character, appearance and amenities of neighbouring, and where relevant, other land, including visual encroachment into the countryside (STRAT 1), the construction of two turbines was not consistent with local planning policy. It was the view of the committee that  that the development would have detrimental impact on skylines and important views (NBE 10) and the development would detract from the rural character of the settlement edge and the counrtyside beyond (NBE 20).

Only Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward), voted to support the granting of planning permission. Whilst his party colleagues abstained together with with Cllr. Richy Doran, Labour (Gainsborough East Ward) and Cllr. Alan Caine, Independent (Caistor Ward).

Liberal Democrat's Attendance at Meetings Slumps to New Low

Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward), a Nettleham Parish Councillor, is revealed to be the poorest attending member of Nettleham Parish Council.

Cllr. Leaning, has been ranked as the poorest attending member of Nettleham Parish Council in figures attached to the  Chairman's Annual Report. Cllr. Leaning - who is both a district and parish councillor - is known to enjoy extensive holidays away from representing his constituents. This has lead to a slump in the number of meetings he has managed to attend.

In the third year running, figures showing the attendance of Nettleham's Parish Councillors have been attached to the Chairman's Annual Report. On average Cllr. Leaning's colleagues attended between 82%-97% of their meetings.  It would be remiss not to mention that Cllr. Leaning, having both district and parish roles, will potentially have diary conflicts; but such a low figure of attendance brings in to question the viability of fulling the expectations of  local residents to do both functions properly. The wards second district councillor and county councillor, Cllr. Ray Sellars, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward and Nettleham & Saxilby Division), has sensibly not re-joined Nettleham Parish Council after stepping down in 2010 - but even he managed an attendance figure of 69% that year. The county council also meets during the daytime, whilst the district council in the evening.

Cllr. Leaning's figure is even more surprising when considering that his presence was only required at the 13 Full Council Meetings (of which he managed to attend 7). Other councillors take on significant additional roles and contribute hundreds of hours a year to help the village. The parish council's Deputy Chairman, Cllr. Mrs. Janice Clayton, was expected to attend 30 meetings during 2011-12, achieving a 97% attendance rate. Meanwhile, Cllr. Alf Frith, who was expected to attend 20 meetings during 2011-12, achieved a 90% attendance rate.

Cllr. Leaning hasn't attended a single meeting since the start of the year and was notably absent from the meeting held on Tuesday, 20th March 2012 - when many villagers turned out to express there concerns over controversial plans to develop a 'custody suite' at Nettleham Police Headquarters. Local residents can only hope that Cllr. Leaning will make an effort to improve his attendance.

'Planning Win' for Parish Council

Members of Nettleham Parish Council have been pleased to learn that planning permission was refused, last night, by West Lindsey District Council's planning committee, for a substantial development on Greetwell Lane.

Nettleham Parish Council objected to this proposed development; the council maintained its strong opposition to the application, which fails to address the reasons for rejections previously made (Section 3 (PP3), Section 6, Section 7 and Section 8). 'In principle the Parish Council supports the provision of Sustainable properties; however, the design, intensity and siting of this development is not in keeping with the other properties in this rural location.' The council also felt that the development did 'not respect its close proximity' to the Bishops' Palace, an scheduled ancient monument, site and ignored the open aspect to the east of the site. The parish council stated that such an extensive development of this site would not respect the Nettleham Village Design Statement. If this application were to be approved it would, in the opinion of the council, set a precedent for future intensive tandem developments in this location.

The Parish Council also noted that West Lindsey District Council's own report (PL24 10/11 dated 17th November 2010) by the Director of Strategy and Regeneration states that 'the authority has exceeded the required 5 year deliverable housing supply and that residential development in primary rural settlements should be resisted unless material considerations indicate otherwise' which removes the pressure on the Planning Authority to achieve set targets.

Cllr. John Evens made representations on behalf of the parish council at the Development Management Committee meeting whilst members of the public from Nettleham also Spoke against the scheme. Cllr. Evan praised the work done by Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward) who spoke against the proposal, saying:

"Malcolm Leaning did an outstanding job as our ward member speaking against the proposal, clearly having done a lot of preparation on the various planning policy reasons and put such a strong case across that the vote was unanimous to reject the application. The site visit of a couple of weeks ago also had a big impact on the members appreciation of the setting."

The development in question was an amended version of a previously rejected proposal to site a number of homes on land abutting the ancient scheduled monument of the Bishops' Palace. Cllr. Evans continued:

"I was also personally very pleased to hear the Nettleham VDS referenced on many occasions by Simon Sharp and Members, it is being taken notice of and was clearly a worthwhile project which will benefit our community for years to come."

Opening of 'Bishops' Fold' is Full of Local Flavour

Above: (From Left to Right) Cllr. Malcolm Leaning,
Cllr. Giles McNeill, Gerard Baker, Cllr. Mrs. Stephanie Rouse,
Cllr. Mrs. Susan Harland & Mr. Richard Beal.

Nettleham Parish Councillors were pleased to meet the chef, food writer and food historian to the Hairy Bikers for their recent BBC television series, whe he was invited by developer Beal Homes to prepare a Lincolnshire sampling menu for guests at the launch of Bishop’s Fold on North Street in Nettleham.

The developement of consists of fifteen three, four and five bedroom family homes in the historic village on the site of the old Poplar Farm. Each home is unique and compliments the style of existing properties in the surrounding area.

Bishop’s fold draws inspiration from the historic Old Bishop's Palace landmark and Nettleham’s unique history with each home being named after a Bishop of Lincoln spanning the past 400 years.

District Councillor Will Not Represent Villagers At Crucial Planning Meeting

A West Lindsey District Councillor has undoubtedly angered residents from across Nettleham by refusing to take place in the 'debate and vote' of tonight's Planning Committee Meeting.

Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward), astonished many local residents last week by declaring his support for the Lincoln Rugby Club's proposals for Lodge Lane, Nettleham.

Now, Cllr. Leaning has left hopeful residents disappointed as he has decided not to take part in the debate and vote on the matter. Whilst those opposed to the development will no doubt be pleased.

Cllr. Leaning explained that

"[R]egarding the advice I had given the committee in December when I had anticipated a much earlier decision which would have been taken in my absence. Although I had not pre-determined any decision, as I had said I was awaiting reports, she [Rachel North] feels it would be safer if I just addressed the committee as ward member then temporally leave the meeting while the debate and vote takes place."

Cllr. Leaning at the beginning of the year was on holiday, abandoning his responsibilities to local electors, on a four month luxury cruise and had not expected to be in the country when the matter came before councillors.

District Councillor Says 'Yes' to Nettleham Rugby Development

Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward) has given his support for planning permission to be granted to the Lindum Rugby Club's proposed development on Lodge Lane, Nettleham.

With a meeting of the West Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee only days away, Cllr. Leaning has stunned local residents opposed to the plans by endorsing the proposed scheme, recommended for approval in the officer's report, which states:

"Anticipating that a decision on the application could well be made whilst he was going to be away, Councillor Leaning has explained he is fully aware of the lengthy discussions which have taken place between the Club and the parish council and at public meetings. He has received messages of support and objections. Whilst he would have preferred to have the benefit of a full report from officers, as this was not available at the time he decided on the basis of what information was available on balance to support the proposal. In so doing he pointed out that Mulsanne Park has no spare capacity for pursuits other than those which take place there at present and this will result in a greater choice for residents, and that Nettleham as a community tries to cater for all age groups in its population."

The meeting of the Planning Committee to discuss the planning application will take place on Wednesday, 28th July at 6:30pm at the Guildhall, Marshall's Yard Gainsborough and it is widely expected that planning permission will be granted.

EXCLUSIVE: New Nettleham Parish Council Elected

The following twelve persons have been nominated for election as a Parish Councillors for Nettleham Parish Council, to fill twelve vacancies:

1. Mr. Allan Bonney, NEW
2. Cllr. Mrs. Janice Clayton (Vice-Chairman of the Council), Re-elected
3. Cllr. Mrs. Valerie Darbyshire, Re-elected
4. Cllr. John Downs (Chairman of the Property Committee), Re-elected
5. Cllr. John Evans (Chairman of the Parish Plan Steering Committee), Re-elected
6. Mrs. Susan Harland, NEW
7. Cllr. John Hill (Chairman of the Planning Committee), Re-elected
8. Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, Re-elected
9. Cllr. Giles McNeill (Chairman of the Mulsanne Park Users Committee), Re-elected
10. Mrs. Stephanie Rouse, NEW
11. Cllr. Michael Spencer, Re-elected
12. Cllr. Terry Williams (Chairman of the Council), Re-elected

The following persons will retire from the Parish Council:

• Cllr. Mrs. Meg Davidson
• Cllr. Alf Frith
• Cllr. Raymond Sellars

Giles McNeill Responds to Local Residents

A number of local residents have taken the time to comment on this blog or else e-mail me regarding the position I took at the Parish Council meeting held last Wednesday where the Parish Council agreed to object to the planning permission application by Lincoln Rugby Football Club.

One anonymous comment said:

"How can you as an elected representative of our village hold straw polls on you blog and blatantly go against the views and concerns of a very large proportion of village folk?"

And accused me of wanting to destroy our quiet village and of not being sufficiently disinterested in the matter.

In response I would like to say I e-mailed eight local residents to make them aware of the poll. Two I knew to be against, two in favour and four who I did not know there view. They were at liberty to circulate the e-mail. I was pleased and proud that over one hundred and seventy individuals took the time to find my blog and vote on the poll. Polls, like petitions, are always indicative; however, it supported what I was getting on the street when I talked to people in the village - there were those in favour and those against. I believe that a large proportion of the village oppose the Rugby Club's proposals. I also believe that a large proportion of the village support the Rugby Club's proposals. Which is the greater of the two It would be hard to say - although if anyone would like me to pursue a parish referendum on the matter I am prepared to investigate this. Secondly, I have no desire to turn Nettleham into a suburb of Lincoln or for the village to lose its charm and character - In fact I and my fellow councillors often feel we are fighting a losing battle against the planning authority, which often seems in chaos. Finally, I am entirely disinterested in the matter. I in no way benefit from the development nor do members of my family or close friends.

I would like to thank 'Eddie R' and 'Martin, Nettleham' for commenting in support of my actions. At the meeting the Chairman, Cllr. Terry Williams, outlined three possible motions: The Parish Council takes either a positive, neutral or negative view. In the end we only voted on a motion to object to the proposal. I voted against. Had we been given the opportunity to vote on the other suggested positions I would have voted in favour of a neutral position and against a positive position.

'Mikey' posted:

"Whatever Giles's belief is, it remains the case that Britain's planning laws cleary state that highway safety, noise and possible disturbance are all grounds for planning refusal - and these were all valid concerns raised at the meeting."

So let me be clear. I am not in favour of, nor am I opposed to the development, on grounds of planning.

I do not believe that there are planning grounds on which to object - there are certainly concerns, chief of which is traffic, but I suspect that as the Rugby Club's consultants purchased their data from Lincolnshire Highways Department I suspect that the review being conducted by the highways agency is unlikely to come to a vastly different conclusion.

I am not in favour of the proposal, however none of my objections relate to planning permission.

'Mikey' later says:

"My concern is that Giles pursues the democratic process to the best of his ability and does his utmost to put the Parish Council's case for refusal even though he would like to see Lincoln City Rugby club's new regional centre added to the village. I am sure he will."

I hope I have answered the point about my view on the Rugby Club. Mikey is entirely correct. Once the Parish Council has taken a vote on a matter members of the Parish Council should represent what the view of the Parish Council is when challenged. A certain level of collective responsibility, in my view should exist. Sadly our district representative, Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, has disagreed. Whilst I understand and accept his need to remain neutral as he serves on the planning committee at West Lindsey, nevertheless I feel their is room to represent the views of the collective Parish Council without jepardising his neutrality.

I hope that this more clearly sets out my view on this matter.

Parish Council to Object to Rugby Club's Proposal

Nettleham Parish Council last night agreed to formally object to the proposal by the Lincoln Rugby Football Club, in their role as a statutory consultee.

At a packed meeting held in the village hall, Parish Councillors voted 4 to 3 (with two abstentions) on a proposal to object.

At the beginning of the meeting Cllr. Terry Williams, Chairman of Nettleham Parish Council, made introductions and welcomed the large number of the public who had made the effort to attend and participate.

Cllr. Williams gave a brief summary, by way of a background, to the activities that had led to the meeting last night.

Ultimately, despite pleas from the Chairman that all councillors should attend only seven participated in casting a vote one way or the other. Cllrs. Sellers and Hill were away on holiday and Cllr. Mrs. Davidson was absent on urgent business. Cllrs. Frith and Leaning both abstained as is their tradition in matters relating to planning.

The vote in the end was very close and represented very much the clear division that exists within our community between the 'yes' and 'no' camps.

I believe that the Parish Council will ultimately struggle to provide a substantive set of planning reasons for objecting. For now however all eyes turn to West Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee who will make a decision now expected as late as Wednesday, 3rd February 2010.

Investigations Stall at West Lindsey as Liberal Democrat 'Fudge' Prevails

Update to Liberal Democrats Frustrate Investigations at West Lindsey and Fraud Inquiry at West Lindsey.

A member of West Lindsey District Council has admitted meeting a planning officer who was suspended as part of a fraud investigation. Cllr. Adam Duguid, Conservative (Market Rasen Ward), made the revelation during a tense two-hour council meeting last night, which saw the Tories defeated in their attempts to push ahead with the authority's investigation of the allegations.

Cllr. Duguid, Deputy Leader of the Council, said the meeting was not planned and that he was ‘ambushed’ by the officer – but confirmed he did speak to him.

The staff member was suspended as part of an on-going inquiry into fraud and mismanagement allegations made against the authority's planning department.

Liberal Democrat leader Reg Shore asked Cllr. Duguid whether he could confirm rumours of senior council members meeting with the suspended officer. Cllr Duguid said:

"I did meet a suspended member of council. However, I did not solicit that meeting and it was unavoidable. I declared that meeting to officers at the earliest opportunity."

Responding to Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr. Reg Shore (Stow Ward) and Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward), Cllr. Bernard Theobald, Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Conservative (Wold View Ward), commenting on the proposal to expand number of members and the remit of the 'Investigations and Disciplinary Committee' said:

"I think, I stand here in the same role as every other member of this council and that is to act in the best interest of the council taxpayer. We are charged to represent them. That's what we do, the council is really owned by the public and we are their elected members to come and run the council on their behalf, for their benefit. That is to ensure that we deliver the services they require at a cost that is affordable. And to try also to promote things that act in the well-being and interest of the council tax-payer.

"I heard with interest from Cllr. Leaning who said 'the mess we've got ourselves into'. I'm sitting here trying to think how we've as elected members have got ourselves into this mess because we've had no input into it. This is a mess we had no input into and think that's a problem. We will certainly be held accountable by the public, because we're their members. Therefore it is very important that when we are asked questions by the public we can give them an honest, open and transparent answers. And the only way we are going to be able to do that is by looking at what's happened within the council.

"Now I don't know about this disciplinary matter that was on-going, and I don't know how big an issue it is around other investigations that have taken place or not taken place. The Auditor, remember, is in at our invitation... I've met with the auditor there are issues that were raised in paper G that he said to me, quite categorically, that that is for the Council to look at."

Cllr. Theobald also criticised the way in which the Liberal Democrats' leadership appeared to be trying to gain some political advantage:

"I am sad if this gets turned into a party political football to make political capital out of.

"The auditor said to me that on what he'd seen so far 'their was no question of fraud', in his opinion, in the planning department... But in the meantime we still have a headline batting about out there that says 'Fraud and Mismanagement in the Planning Department'... [The Public] they've seen the headline, it's been put out there, they want to know what's going on."

Ultimately Cllr. Theobald said:

"This is the concern, this council belongs to the members, and the members need to reassure themselves of the conduct of each and everyone of us.. whether by election or whether by employment. We need to know we are all pulling together in the right direction in the best interest of the public, the people we serve."

Cllr. Leaning later responded to Cllr. Theobald's comments about the crisis not being of the members making by saying:

"I am in complete agreement."

In response to a fudge of delaying tactics that the Liberal democrats deployed Cllr. Theobald said:

"This is about being strong and decisive, it's about saying if their are issues here we want to find out what they are and understand them."

Recently re-elected Cllr. Jackie Brockway, Conservative (Saxilby Ward) who crossed the political aisle earlier in the year, gave a strong case for moving forward with the committee, not for the benefit of the councillors, but for the council's employees who do not need the additional burden of holding consecutive, rather than parallel investigations.

Cllr. Reg Shore gave notice that the three Liberal Democrat members would not attend until such time as the Audit Commission report had been received.

Cllr. Theobald, who with 22 Conservative Councillors, 13 Liberal Democrats, 1 Independent and 1 Vacancy (not expected to be filled until May 2010), should have been able to find enough support to carry the motion; but he failed to do so. In the end the motion fell 12:14 with 2 abstentions – Cllr. Theobald declared the issue ‘dead in the water’. Whilst only 28 of the 37 members of the council were able to be in attendance to vote - a number of the Conservative benches must have stayed away.

The Conservative Group Leader said he was disappointed that the opposition group would not allow the investigations committee, which included Cllr Duguid, to expand from five members to eight.

The increase was proposed after the Liberal Democrats refused to provide two members until the independent Audit Commission has completed its review on governance at the authority.

The Liberal Democrat opposition believed the Conservatives were trying to internalise the process by creating this committee.

How this will affect Cllr. Theobald's continued leadership of the Council and Conservative Group is unknown at this time.

Cllr. Theobald told the Lincolnshire Echo the allegations needed investigating to answer public concerns and accused the opposition of a cover-up.

"I am not sure why the Liberal Democrats don't want the matters investigated.

"Losing the vote does not question my authority but does question whether the Liberal Democrats should be in the authority. They are acting in other interests. The taxpayer has a right to know what is happening."

Cllr. Shore said there was ‘no chance’ of a cover-up from his party.