‘Political nonsense’ jibe as Lib Dems rebel over joint working

Liberal Democrat members of the Adur and Worthing joint scrutiny committee have called for a review of the current joint working arrangement between the two local authorities.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of the committee on Tuesday.

Neil Parkin, leader of Adur District Council, said the move was “purely a lot of political nonsense contrived to try to up the non-existent local Liberal Democrat profile”

Paul Yallop, leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “I think it is unfortunate that the Liberal Democrats are putting their political ambition ahead of the residents of Adur and Worthing.”

The Liberal Democrats, however, said now would be a good time to “take stock” of the partnership.

“We need to get away from the ad hoc approach that the Conservatives have adopted, reflecting their lack of vision and strategic thinking,” said committee member Bob Smytherman.

Committee member Alan Rice, also a Liberal Democrat councillor, said: “The joint chief executive was due to retire by the end of 2010, but the Tories have decided to keep him on without any debate or discussion in council as to our future leadership.

“It demonstrates both the sad lack of democracy in both councils and the inability to think ahead.

“No plans had been put in place to look for a successor, so, without time to recruit, the Tories have panicked and fallen back on what they are familiar with.”

Mr Parkin said: “We know where we are going. We asked the chief executive to stay because the last thing we would want to do halfway through a project is change the chief executive.

“The last time the Liberal Democrats tried to mess around with the chief executive for Worthing, it cost the public a six-figure sum.”

l See also page 9 – ‘Boss to delay retirement to carry on joint working’