Mayor Bans Criticism Of Leader

Cllr Brendan Murphy writes: Cheshire East Mayor Cllr Wesley Fitzgerald has blocked an Independent motion criticising the nomination of Cllr Michael Jones as the 'Council Leader of the Year'.

The decision was made on the grounds that "the language of the motion could amount to a personal attack on an Individual Member".

The official notice of the ban claimed discussion of motion could damage the reputation of the Council. The motion, tabled for discussion at Thursday's council meeting on 26th February, says:

"This Council regrets the embarrassment to the Council Leader and Council Members caused by the trivialising nomination of Cllr M Jones for the Council Leader of the Year Award.

"Whilst he has done much that is commendable, this nomination brings into question the serious 'political misdemeanours' that have occurred under his leadership."

The full text of the motion is below**.

Independent Councillors Group Leader, Cllr Brendan Murphy said: "This is not a personal attack. It is a polite reprimand on account of issues like Lyme Green, Local Plan debacle, £10k bonus payments and so on.

"As Leader, he has to take responsibility and should not be above criticism. We have genuine concerns about the way the council is being run. To deny councillors the right to discuss their concerns openly and honestly is a travesty of democracy."

He went on to say: "The award scheme is a childish publicity stunt... an excuse for a council jolly. A bunch of Tory councillors – with officers in tow – will troop off to London for a glittering 'red carpet' award ceremony, as if they were going to collect Oscars.

"Turning local government into some kind of celebrity circus is an insult to residents and taxpayers. It is waste of money and with elections in the offing, we would question its legality."

** Full Text of Motion: "This Council regrets the embarrassment to the Council Leader and Council Members caused by the trivialising nomination of Cllr M Jones for the Council Leader of the Year Award.
Whilst he has done much that is commendable, this nomination brings into question the serious 'political misdemeanours' that have occurred under leadership.
In the meantime, we request an assurance from the Chief Executive that this nomination did not emanate from the Council's PR Department or from any officer who is a potential recipient of a £10,000 performance related bonus."
Proposed by Cllr Brendan Murphy, Macclesfield; Cllr Roy Cartlidge, Crewe; Cllr Arthur Moran Nantwich; Cllr Mike Parsons Middlewich; Cllr Barry Burkhill, Handforth.

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