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Lucy's fear for loss of free thinking - COMMENT ON THIS STORY
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She has been replaced by Newby ward councillor Hazel Lynskey – who left the Independents to join the Tories last year.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."
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Weather for Scarborough
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
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