A SHOCK move occurred at the Saddleworth Parish Council’s Annual General Meeting as the five Independent councillors abstained from key voting for political reasons.
Around 50 members of the public witnessed the unprecedented event as the Parish Council gathered to vote in new chair Enid Firth, vice chair Neil Allsopp, to appoint committee chairmen and approve accounts.
A consensus has traditionally been obtained between the various political groups on council as to who will be appointed to each position based on ability, expertise and achievement.
But the Independent councillors decided to abstain from voting as they believe this year the Liberal Democrats have unilaterally decided who will do which job, and filled most of the positions, following disagreements over the proposed location of the new Saddleworth School.
Cllr Rob Knotts, spokesperson for the Independent Group, said in a statement: “I am shocked at the way the Liberal Democrats have behaved over what is an honest difference of policy on a key issue (Saddleworth School) facing Saddleworth.
“This should not spill over into a vindictive attack on individuals in the way it has. Chairs and Vice Chairs should be appointed solely on the ability to do the job.
“We will be abstaining from the vote as a protest at the blatant way in which Party Policy has been put before the best interest of the Council and Saddleworth residents.”
The Independent councillors abstained from voting in the chair and vice chair, as well as on the standing orders, committee chairs and meeting times but did vote to approve the accounts.
Cllr Mike Buckley explained after the meeting: “We would have been happy to vote on the standing orders and times of the meetings, but they were put together with the committee chairs so we didn’t get the chance.
“Usually a spokesperson from each party goes to a meeting and they come to a consensus about who will be put forward for each position.
“This is one of the only times I have been aware of that a group has had a private meeting and decided who they want in the roles.
“This is not the way the Parish Council has operated in the past and it shouldn’t be now. Clearly there are bad feelings but not personally on my behalf.”
The Independent councillors, despite being the second largest group on the council, now hold none of the main positions after Mike Buckley and Rob Knotts were replaced as chairs of the planning and finance committees.
But Liberal Democrat councillors insisted the positions were filled on merit rather political motives and said the Independent councillors had just as much opportunity to put themselves forward
Cllr Brian Lord, the new chair of the finance committee – a role he held for 15 years previously, commented after the meeting: “I think what they have done is absolutely outrageous.
“We have a pre-meeting where all councillors can decide what we are going to do so this is a showcase evening for the Parish and we all know the decision taken together.
“They have been part of that meeting but now they have decided to abstain, which I find quite abhorrent.
“Until the Independents came onto council years ago, politics were never mentioned. The school has nothing to do with the decisions that have been made.”
Cllr Bill Cullen added: “I think it is disgraceful. They have hijacked the meeting just three days before a local election and that is what it is all about.
“They have known about these decisions for weeks and only decided to do something now.”
Cllr John Hudson said: “I am very upset about this. I asked two Independents if they wanted me to put them forward for positions and they said no. They had the same chance as everybody else.”
Cllr Garth Harkness was disappointed the voting distracted from the chairmen, commenting: “This evening should have been about Graham raising £21,000 for charities and handing over to Enid.”
And Cllr Alan Roughley added: “I am very disappointed as this should be a celebratory civic occasion but now it just shows a lack of political immaturity.”
Cllr Neil Allsopp, who was voted in as vice chairman for 2014-15 admitted he was disappointed at the move by the Independent councillors.
He said: “I am proud to have been elected but very disappointed with the Independents abstention.
“My appointment was not a decision made by the Lib Dems alone, as they very well know. It was a complete surprise to me when Cllr. Hudson proposed me at an earlier meeting.
“At that meeting I had the support of the Independents. I don’t know of any action on my part which would justify the withdrawal of that support. I feel a deep sense of betrayal by their unjust action.”
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