Meetings to be

like a local Yalta -

but without Stalin

In a bizarre turn of events, members of a group set up as a forum for political leaders on Boston Borough Council have demanded the exclusion of the ruling Boston Bypass Independents.
Leaders of the Opposition groups have voiced serious concerns at the value of attending the informal group discussions because of what they see as the negative attitude of BBI leader Richard Austin.
The idea for the leaders’ meeting came from an Improvement Panel created when it was finally recognised that Boston Borough Council had such serious problems that it faced outside intervention.
The object was to share concerns and ideas, and allow information to be examined informally under the chairmanship of the Chief Executive.
“It was the panel’s intention to set in place an opportunity for dialogue and openness, to lead to a much-needed improvement of relations between opposition members and the ruling group, and there was a clear expectation of compliance from all who attended,” Boston Eye was told by someone who knows about these things.
“Unfortunately, the Leader’s contribution, when he bothered to attend, was one of almost complete silence, except when he was accompanied by the grumpy and aggressive Councillor Richard Dungworth – the man who christened Mayor Councillor Peter Jordan ‘Old Grumpy’ - and whose presence in any meeting only ever results in discord.
“Opposition members have adopted and complied with the recommendation both in spirit and effort, but now see little point in continuing under the original format and have asked that future meetings do take place - but without Councillor Austin.
“They have each written to the Chief Executive informing him of their frustrations, and suggested that he adopts a new approach as chair which will be to inform, note, and relay information across this widening divide.
“We accept that this might seem an impractical solution, and far from ideal, but for all of us who have witnessed the lack of enthusiasm from Richard Austin, we feel there is no alternative.”
The next Leaders’ Meeting is on 14th March, and when Chief Executive Richard Harbord was warned that the Tories would probably walk out if the BBI attended, it was decided to exclude the BBI from the meeting.

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