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Monday, 21st July 2008

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Lucy's fear for loss of free thinking - COMMENT ON THIS STORY



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THE chairman of one of Scarborough Council's most powerful committees has been ousted from her post after defecting from the ruling Conservative group.
Seamer ward councillor Lucy Haycock, who has been a member of the council's planning committee for 25 years, believes its independence may now be under threat. She resigned from the Conservative group last month citing "unease" with council policy.

She has been replaced by Newby ward councillor Hazel Lynskey – who left the Independents to join the Tories last year. Cllr Haycock has also lost her positions on the Projects and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Human Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Licensing Committee.

She said: "The Liberal Democrats appear to have done a deal with the Conservatives to carve up the chairman's seat on council committees. I think it is a sad day for democracy when people play politics with the day to day workings of the council.

"I believe politics has no place to play in the planning process, but it appears the Conservative group feels differently.

"My greatest fear now is that planning applications might be fast-tracked by the ruling executive without being given proper consideration." Scarborough's mayor Janet Jefferson was also left feeling disappointed after the chairman of the council's performance scrutiny committee post was handed to Eastfield ward councillor Brian O'Flynn.

In previous years the post held by a councillor before they take on the role of mayor, has been kept open for them. Cllr Jefferson said: "It would be fair to say that I'm disappointed by the decision to give the chairman's job to somebody else. I have always held the performance of the council close to my heart.

"I am genuinely interested in helping the council to perform better.

"That said, I've had a wonderful year as mayor and I will continue to serve the community I represent to the best of my ability."

In a further twist to the political merry-go-round, Falsgrave councillor Pat Marsburg has resigned from the Labour group, saying she "just felt it was the right time".

This reduces the once-powerful Labour presence to just a trio. The political make up of the council now stands at 22 Conservatives, 16 Independents, six Liberal Democrats, three Labour councillors, two Greens and one Cllr Haycock – an unaffiliated independent.

The leader of the Labour group, Cllr Eric Broadbent, said: "I was disappointed to hear Cllr Marsburg left the group, but these things happen, even in local politics from time to time and you've just got to move on."

What do you think? You can leave your comments below.



The full article contains 446 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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  • Last Updated: 14 May 2008 9:45 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Scarborough
 
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castle crusader.,

scarborough 14/05/2008 10:14:44
Free thinking, free speech, out of the window, speak out and get axed, by the omnipotent ruling cabinet at SBC.

I have always said "the secrecy surrounding SBC is reminiscent of Stalinist Russia" well now it seems to have extended into being a dictatorship, as in the same era of Russian politics.

Just what will the thoughts of chairman Tom be this week, I wonder?
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Harbour Bar,

14/05/2008 11:12:41
Lucy Haycock is not the only 1 woried for future of free specch in this town....
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Lady Taurus ,

Scarborough 14/05/2008 11:13:26
Cllr Haycock must have known what the outcome would be of her switching parties. The same thing happened last year to Cllr Lynskey when she switced over to another party.

It makes sense that if you win a seat to represent a party you should not then be able to change to another.

Sorry to hear that Cllr Pat Marsburg has left the council. She did a fine job representing her constituents in the Falsgrave ward.
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Amaroo,

Scarborough 14/05/2008 14:28:17
You can, if selected and then elected become either a Conservative or Labour Councillor as long as you do not dare speak out loud in any way that could be interpreted as against party policy.

Cllr. Lynskey when an Independent spoke out loud and long on many topics. She then crossed the floor to the Conservatives and disappeared off the radar.

The Independnts or at least some do speak out, only yesterday Cllr. Popple it seems realised that a Park and Ride was being built on Seamer Road. He voiced his opinion that he thought it was in the wrong place.

Had he been a member of either of the other parties and said that he would have been dismissed forthwith.

Cllr. Haycock has her own reasons for leaving her party but she knew the consequences for doing so. It is hoped as an Independent that she can now represent her constituents fully instead of having to 'obey' her party line.

It will interseting to read what Tom Fox has to say if indeed he does say anyhting. He appears to have gone down the same bunker as Cllr. Lynsky. We have not heard anything of him since his diabolical interview on TV trying to defend 'The Sands'project.

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Lady Taurus ,

Scarborough 14/05/2008 15:11:54
Amaroo: I have known Cllr Hazel Lynskey since childhood and one thing I can vouch for is this, if she has anything to say for the good of the town or doesn't agree with something, no one will gag her.

She is her own person and will have her say at council meetings, even if what she say's doesn't get reported in the paper.

I agree the Independents do speak out, however Cllr Norman Grundy has been very quiet of late. I for one have missed his letters to the paper and his arguments in the chamber.

I thought Cllr Tom Fox' interview on TV was first class. he did the town proud.
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Amaroo,

Scarborough 14/05/2008 15:43:48
I have known Hazel for well over 40 years so we are on more or less level ground there.

When she was an Independent with Cllr. Shelia Kettlewell (who I also know) they both were very vocal in their policies, representations etc and they were not gagged.

She crossed the floor and I repeat disappeared from the radar. Now not a squeak from Hazel like as before, totally gagged, simply because she has to toe the party line and keep quiet.

As for Tom Fox and the interview at the Corner, it begs belief that you are of the opinion 'he did the town proud'.

When he was asked by the interviewer what leisure facilities were being built for the council and public as he (the interviewer) could only see a block of flats, Tom Fox looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights and simply could not answer and with that the interviewer cut short the interview. Not a whisper from him since.
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Enquiries@raincliffehotel.co.uk,

scarborough 14/05/2008 17:27:26
Free speech round here,thets a good one,i try to do my bit,i love this place,people are so jelous,i also like the lime light,but hey its nice to be nice,
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,

14/05/2008 18:23:15
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
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castle crusader.,

scarborough 15/05/2008 07:56:51
Well done Lucy Haycock, OK so you have lost a few positions on the council but in my eyes you have increased your standing in the community immensly.

You may well have lost a lot and I am sure you were aware of the cosequences of not towing the party line, you have however shown that you have been guided by your principals, your conscience and your belief in speakin the truth, above all other concerns.

I would be very proud if you represented our ward and I am sure that without the baggage of party politics you will still be elected by the constituants you serve for many years to come.
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Amaroo,

Scarborough 15/05/2008 16:08:18
To 'castle crusader'.

I totally agree with your comments re Cllr. Haycock.

This is the major difference between the parties. Tory, Labour and Liberal have their respective 'party lines' to toe and not step over by talking out of turn or contrary to party.

Becoming Unaffiliated Independent allows her to speak out without fear or favour.

We have seen the reverse of this with an Independent crossing the floor to the Tory camp. As an Independent was as regular as clockwork speaking out on any number of topics on behalf of the constituents. Now not a whisper. Not heard 'boo to a goose' since crossing over.
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