Eden District Council Leader, Keith Phillips today sacked three of his Portfolio Holders following their decision to vote against the proposal for a shared management/delivery alliance with South Lakeland District Council.
Councillor Mary Robinson (Independent), Councillor Mike Tonkin (Non-Aligned Independent) and Councillor Bert Richardson (Conservative) had been asked to resign under the constitutional arrangements of the Council and when they declined to do so, the Leader of the Council took the decision to dismiss them.
Eden District Council Leader, Councillor Keith Phillips, said: “The Executive had agreed our approach in April last year and the Council has supported in principle, the agreement to progress the shared management/delivery alliance with South Lakeland District Council. The Executive operates on the collective responsibility principle and their decision not to support me at the Council meeting meant that their position was no longer tenable in the Executive. I would like to thank them for all their work on behalf of the Council.”
The Leader will continue with the remaining members of the Executive and seek to appoint replacements in the next few days.
“We have some difficult decisions ahead and it is important the Executive are united in taking these key decisions forward,” added Councillor Keith Phillips. “I am determined that Eden continues to deliver its priorities and want to support people who can help me achieve this.”
Under the Executive/Leader arrangements the business of the Council can continue as normal with the remaining Executive members having temporary authority until the next Council meeting.
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