Week ending 20th May

Our Friday miscellany

of the week's

news and events

If a flying saucer were to land outside Boston Borough Council’s West Street offices and the occupants uttered that time-honoured phrase take me to your leader,  they might well end up very confused. It was announced earlier in the week that of the borough’s 32 councillors, no fewer than thirteen  hold the status of leader or deputy leader – or in the case of the Independents, spokesman and deputies. .
That got us thinking about a suitable collective noun for a group of leaders. Obviously, it must be alliterative, so what do you think of these?
A Laputa of leaders. Laputa is an imagined land in Gulliver’s Travels where impractical projects are pursued, and practical projects neglected.
A Limbo of leaders. A state in which somebody or something is neglected or is simply left in oblivion.
A Lethargy of leaders. A state of sluggishness, inactivity, and apathy, and a state of unconsciousness resembling deep sleep.
A Lament of leaders. To express sorrow or regret – in Boston, previously about the work of a former administration.
A Languish of leaders. To exist or continue in miserable or disheartening conditions: to affect a wistful or languid air, especially in order to gain sympathy.
A Lunacy of leaders. Extreme foolishness or an instance of it
Or, given the numbers at Boston, a Legion of Leaders. Very great in number, a legion was a division of the Roman army, comprising between 3,000 and 6,000 soldiers.
We note that the former Boston Bypass Independents’ leader Councillor Richard Austin has stepped down to the role of deputy, and wonder if the decision has anything to do with the publication of a Consideration and Hearings Sub-Committee ruling that he had breached the council’s Code of Conduct. Naughty Councillor Austin disclosed confidential details of a meeting with a member of the council to an officer of another council - despite a ban on such actions. The sub-committee censured Councillor Austin and ordered him to send a written apology to the complainant. Doubtless, it will be as heartfelt and sincere as always. Although the hearing took place on 20th April, we understand publication of the ruling was withheld until after the elections, which meant the general public were unaware of it throughout the election campaign and the day of the poll. Whether this would have made any difference will never be known – but we can’t help feeling that … not for the first time, there seems to be one law for Councillor Austin, and another for everyone else at Boston Borough Council.
Still with the BBI, in an e-mail that missed out on publication last week for some reason we can’t explain, a correspondent told us: “On leaving the election count I was particularly privileged to witness a very public and very loud altercation taking place in the car park amongst a few 'less than up-beat' members of the BBI (or should that read ex-members?) Quite astonishing, but I do have to say, most gratifying. One gentleman in particular appeared quite critical of his peers and visibly upset, screaming at the top of his voice for all to hear, the somewhat obvious observation 'you are all useless and you are all fired..... everyone of you!' You couldn't make it up, no matter how hard you tried.”
After our comments in this column last week about English Democrat Councillor David Owens and his change of allegiance from the BNP, Councillor Owens has written to say:” As you well know the association with the Independents was only to obtain seats on committees and for the Indy's to still maintain representation on said committees. My political affiliation remained with the BNP up until the time for nomination for election. I take this opportunity to remind you and those observers of your excellent blog, that unlike many other councillors over recent years, when I made a change of political association I stood before the electorate under a new flag. The same cannot be said of all councillors, one of whom serves at county level despite their political colours changing...”
Meanwhile, the problems of political image for the English Democrats continue. After the BBI tried to compare them to the BNP, it turns out that that party doesn’t like them either. BNP leader Nick Griffin, in his chairman’s review of the elections, refers to Boston’s unique result. “The candidates for the pro-IRA, Muslim-loving English Democrats were humiliated in most areas. They won in only one small ward in the country, and even then only because the Tories didn't stand.” Step forward Councillor Elliott Fountain of Fenside Ward. “This gives a fair view of exactly what is happening in the world of politics. Many people are trying to give us a bad name but as you can see from the election results, none of these false claims have stuck. The English Democrats will grow and grow in Boston. We will increase borough councillors, run for county council, get a referendum when the timing is right for elected Mayor - and put forward at least ten people for general elections in Lincolnshire and the East Midlands. Since I became a councillor I have not stopped working. I have spoken to all officers regarding the party in park, HMOs, the Assembly Rooms, benefits, jobs, housing, resident parking, Placecheck, litter, jobs, youth clubs, recycling, discos, highways, St Bede’s School and the failing of all Boston’s schools, helped residents with issues, and we are in process of starting a volunteer help service on Fenside to help pensioners.”
However,  despite all this, it seems that the party still has a hill to climb in West Street, if not a mountain. Since the elections, both English Democrat group leader David Owens and Councillor Fountain have been surprised that their attempts to contact some council officers have been rebuffed - and they have been referred instead to the appropriate heads of department. This has obviously caused difficulties getting information, and and a procedure that was not mentioned when the new council was briefed -  leaving both men wondering why they have apparently been singled out. Perhaps the Chief Executive has the answer?
We were interested in the letter in both local “newspapers” from former BBI Councillor Richard Lenton, who held the borough’s finance portfolio in the Bad Old Days. In it, he highlighted “a rather peculiar practice” under which we have paid hundreds of millions of pounds to Lincolnshire County Council but yet are still asked to chip in towards projects such as the recent road widening scheme and the forthcoming Market Place refurbishment. Mr Lenton asked: “Isn’t this a double tax on the people of Boston.” Even if it technically is, we are sure that Boston is not alone – as we can imagine the squeals of protest if, for instance, Lincoln was never required to chip into county council projects that benefited the city. Strangely, Mr Lenton declares that with the Tories running both the county and the borough, “we now have a powerful lobby to put an end to this rather unfair practice.” Why now? Apparently, Mr Lenton was aware of this peculiarity throughout his stay in office, so why has he waited until now to bring it to our attention? And why did he do nothing about it for four long years?
Another person who thinks that the Conservatives will do something that was previously unattainable is the chairman of the Wash Branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (didn’t know we had one.) Mr Kevin Mothers wants the controlling group to “think small” and give more help with discretionary rate relief for small businesses. The Federation wants a small business “champion” – but we understand that this job goes hand in hand with the role of portfolio holder for regeneration – which as of yesterday, is council Leader Councillor Peter Bedford. Councillor Bedford has already voiced an interest in business in Lincolnshire. On his appointment as the 25th Chairman of Lincolnshire County Council a year ago today, he said: “My main aim for the year is to support and promote county businesses. Times are tough. I want to help raise the profile of our local industries and bring people together, creating new opportunities.” He has already pointed out that the borough spends “substantial” amounts locally, but stresses that competitiveness is the key. We would endorse that, and emphasise that relationships such as those between a council and its local small businesses needs to be a two way street – and not as at first appears, an appeal for cheaper rates.
Just a reminder – if one were needed – the fact that today is the anniversary of Councillor Bedford’s election to office at Lincolnshire County Council means that it is his final day in office. He hands over the reins at today’s meeting in County Hall. Time now for some real work!!

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