Veteran politician’s anger over exclusion

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Crossing Anger. Councillor Mike Northeast who is angry that the new crossing across the main road outside the new Morrisons has not been built by the council.. Pictured is Mike Northeast by the site of the proposed crossing. Wick. ENGSUS00120130522180434 — L22030H13-CrossingAnger - L22037H13-CrossingAnger 220513 LP Crossing Anger. Councillor Mike Northeast who is angry that the new crossing across the main road outside the new Morrisons has not been built by the council.. Pictured is Mike Northeast by the site of the proposed crossing. Wick. ENGSUS00120130522180434

Arun District Council Courtwick and Toddington ward councillor Mike Northeast called the exclusion ‘undemocratic’.

His two Labour colleagues lost their seats in the May election, leaving him the only party member on the council.

Arun argue he is not entitled to any committee seats as he is not part of a political group.

He said: “I do find it a bit churlish as I have been a councillor for 24 years and I have had a lot of training and sat on most committees. It’s undemocratic and not right for the electorate that supported me. I feel pretty angry about it.”

An advice sheet from the Local Government Association, obtained by Mr Northeast, suggests ‘that in the true spirit of the Local Government and Housing Act, that morally or democratically, non-grouped councillors are entitled to fair representation’.

But Arun chief executive Nigel Lynn believes the correct interpretation is that parties must have two or more councillors to be allocated seats.

He said: “Our interpretation of the legislation is that a political group ceases to be constituted under the law when its membership is less than two, as is the case for councillor Northeast who has not at this stage aligned himself with any other political group.

“It is for this reason that councillor Northeast was not allocated any seats on any of the council’s committees.”

Mr Northeast’s only option is to negotiate with other parties for a share of their seats. This was a similar situation for Worthing’s only Green councillor, who was granted a seat on planning by the Tory majority.

Liberal Democrat and Beach ward councillor Dr James Walsh said: “I think it’s shocking because he is still an elected councillor and should have an equal voice. Arun Tories should learn to be a little more magnanimous with such a huge preponderance of them and allow it as he wishes.

“I’m very happy to join together with hopefully opposition councillors and force a change of heart.”

The Local Government Association said it did not comment on individual cases. Mr Lynn said he would happily discuss the issue with Mr Northeast.