‘I won’t stand for leadership’ pledges council deputy (From Bournemouth Echo)
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‘I won’t stand for leadership’ pledges council deputy
9:50pm Wednesday 7th July 2010 in
THE deputy leader of Bournemouth Council yesterday agreed not to stand for the vacant leader’s position, making it a two-horse race.
Cllr John Beesley was the second-in-command to Stephen MacLoughlin, the man who stepped down after adult material was found on his council laptop. His decision leaves Bob Lawton and Peter Charon as the only two candidates for tomorrow’s vote to become party and council leader.
Cllr Beesley also stood down as chairman of the planning committee. He is under investigation by the standards board after allegedly failing to declare the full extent of his friendship with a planning agent.
He said in a statement: “Following the media stories over the last two weeks which were distracting public attention away from the excellent work being done by the council, Stephen MacLoughlin did the honourable thing by resigning as leader.
“As my name has been connected with a completely separate inquiry, it would be inappropriate for me now to stand as leader, even though the complaint has not been heard almost nine months after it was first made by a Lib Dem opposition Councillor.
“I have also decided to step down as chairman of the planning board with immediate effect to bring an end to the unacceptable and inaccurate speculation about my role in the council’s planning processes.”
Yesterday, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles called on Bournemouth Council to sort itself out.
Apart from Cllrs Beesley and MacLoughlin, two other councillors have been investigated – one for sending racists text messages and the other for as-yet-unspecified allegations.
Mr Pickles was visiting Boscombe during the Local Government Association conference and said: “I would like it sorted ‘as soon as’.
“I’ve not looked at the details but I’ve seen this happen before. It’s always best to deal with it and move on for the folks in Bournemouth who deserve a council working effectively.”
Comments on this story were suspended yesterday for staffing reasons but we're reposting those that were placed in the morning. If you wish to have your say, click here for today's story.
Comments(21)
marjorie01
says...
10:26pm Wed 7 Jul 10
dribble
says...
10:31pm Wed 7 Jul 10
busguy wrote:Rob Lawton has declared his masonic membership on the Register of Members Interests thus:
Very positive news.
Unless someone knows differently, I believe both the gentlemen in the two horse race have good records in their wards, which is a start.
The only question I have is, are either of the candidates Freemasons?
I am genuinely suspicious of a strong link with any clique where friendship, membership, allegiance or loyalty can cause a conflict of interest, and maybe negatively influence the important work of the Leader of the Council, whatever political persuasion they may be.
.
"St Michael's Lodge including membership of Grand Charity"
.
Pete Charon has no such declaration - but does say he's a developer....
rainbowkisses
says...
10:42pm Wed 7 Jul 10
jinglebell
says...
11:02pm Wed 7 Jul 10
Hopefully, Cllr. Charon will get in (I have heard nothing one way or the other about Cllr. Lawton) having listened to Cllr. Charon at a meeting I was most impressed by his informed views. My friends are in his Ward and he replies to letters and seems to put himself out on residents behalf.
This is indeed positive news at last.
jinglebell
says...
11:03pm Wed 7 Jul 10
FOSF
says...
11:42pm Wed 7 Jul 10
PeterCharon
says...
6:50am Thu 8 Jul 10
marjorie01
says...
7:05am Thu 8 Jul 10
busguy
says...
7:13am Thu 8 Jul 10
PeterCharon wrote:Good morning, and prompt communications!
Good morning. I am neither a Freemason (never have been), nor a property developer. I used to be a developer, but stopped developing about 2 years ago. My interest register was updated some time ago, as I wished to speak about certain housing policies that I was unhappy with and needed to deal with that first. Rgds. Cllr Peter Charon Bournemouth Borough Council.
Good to hear you do not have an interest in the Freemasons.
Things are starting to look promising in the dark world we are all suspicious of!
We have to have a Council and we have to have a Leader (or active Mayor?) and we need to make it 'the best'.
Please tell us how you can be the saviour of this Council at this difficult time of monetary restraint, wayward Councillors and suspect Executive management?
volval
says...
7:18am Thu 8 Jul 10
dodgydeals
says...
7:38am Thu 8 Jul 10
Still Private Eye magazine has reported on the 'Forlorn Foursome' MacLaughlin, Beesley, Powell and Spencer in the ROTTEN BOROUGHS column more sad publicity for the Tories. What a shower !
volval
says...
7:51am Thu 8 Jul 10
I do hope that whoever becomes leader will make changes and allow them to represent the electorate without fear of punishment.
PeterCharon
says...
8:14am Thu 8 Jul 10
Gordon Cann
says...
8:49am Thu 8 Jul 10
In the context in which we are now placed I wish Coucillor Charon well and hope there will be more transparent local government , but I will say that at the end of the day this will be a Conservative Council implementing a Conservative economic policy which threatens to bring misery to hundreds of thousands of people.- not the view of the Peoples Republic of East Strouden Park or wherever, but of President Obama !( double dip recession etc )
I would also suggest in the spirit of the present economic climate that the present Councillors 'salary bill is reduced by one third and then divided out equally beteween all Councillors giving a remuneration level corrersponding to a Council of 36 which is line with other unitary authoritries
Capt. Ahab (ret.)
says...
10:47am Thu 8 Jul 10
Gordon Cann wrote:Ahoy ‘Mr Cann’
Why dont jingle bell , rainbow kisses and all the other delightful names now follow the example set by Councillor Charon and in future give us their full names ( as I have always done ).
In the context in which we are now placed I wish Coucillor Charon well and hope there will be more transparent local government , but I will say that at the end of the day this will be a Conservative Council implementing a Conservative economic policy which threatens to bring misery to hundreds of thousands of people.- not the view of the Peoples Republic of East Strouden Park or wherever, but of President Obama !( double dip recession etc )
I would also suggest in the spirit of the present economic climate that the present Councillors 'salary bill is reduced by one third and then divided out equally beteween all Councillors giving a remuneration level corrersponding to a Council of 36 which is line with other unitary authoritries
I believe the very reason why this forum do work so well is that element of anonymity allows true feelings to be spoken without any fear of persecution from the likes of bullies and hypocrites that have weaselled their way into politics (which ever party) for no other reason than self interest.
As they do say sir it be yer choice to reveal yer name, it matter not a jot to me but do not presume to criticise those who retain their democratic right (whilst it still be available) to make a personal choice. Stamp me ivory I do bet there be a few councillors aboard here under ‘non de plume’ and have shed light upon many a ‘guarded’ secret revealing it with much benefit to the Brethren.
jinglebell
says...
11:17am Thu 8 Jul 10
Does the new Leader decide who will be the Deputy and whoever else forms the Cabinet?
Or do all the others simply stay in post?
I simply can't see how Cllr. Beesley and the others, who made the decision to sanction Cllr. MacLouglin's actions to bypass procedures, can stay if the Conservative group wish to regain the confidence of the public.
Corrupto
says...
11:37am Thu 8 Jul 10
rainbowkisses
says...
11:39am Thu 8 Jul 10
volval wrote:"....I feel sorry for most of the councillors - they are not consulted, not informed and where there is any discussion/vote most are aggressively whipped! How can they be expected to address our concerns?"...... So what's the point in paying them? If they have no say in anything, as you suggest, then I for one can think of better things to spend the money we pay them on. We elect our local Councillors to do the best THEY can. Not to be told what to say and do. If they don't have the b***s to stand up to their own party when they think they are wrong, then resign and let somebody else in to do the job. I don't want to pay thousands in expenses to a bunch of "yes" men/women.
Democracy (allegedly) gives us the council we deserve. I feel sorry for most of the councillors - they are not consulted, not informed and where there is any discussion/vote most are aggressively whipped! How can they be expected to address our concerns? I do hope that whoever becomes leader will make changes and allow them to represent the electorate without fear of punishment.
rainbowkisses
says...
11:45am Thu 8 Jul 10
... So just what have you done to clear your name Beesley? Why have you been content to let it run on for 9 months? Why not come on here and tell your wage payers why they should believe you? I know if I was in your shoes, and as innocent as you claim to be, I would have told the complainer ages ago to put up or shut up..but you don't seem to have done that have you? And by the way.... it's just not stories in the Echo that people are hearing. You should hear what some of your so called friends are saying behind your back.
jinglebell
says...
11:57am Thu 8 Jul 10
A London business associate emailed some months ago to ask of the online Echo story, "Is this for real or have I misread it?" His office staff have been following ever since.
My only surprise is Ricky Gervais has not taken it up as a programme - or maybe he has and it comes out in the Spring??
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busguy says...
10:18pm Wed 7 Jul 10
Unless someone knows differently, I believe both the gentlemen in the two horse race have good records in their wards, which is a start.
The only question I have is, are either of the candidates Freemasons?
I am genuinely suspicious of a strong link with any clique where friendship, membership, allegiance or loyalty can cause a conflict of interest, and maybe negatively influence the important work of the Leader of the Council, whatever political persuasion they may be.