The Labour Group on Cheshire East Council has submitted a motion of no confidence in Michael Jones, the Leader of Cheshire East Council.
The motion will be debated at the full Council meeting on Thursday. 26th February.
A statement issued by the Labour Group lists specific failings which they say are attributable to Michael Jones. These include: being Cabinet Member responsible for finance at the time of the Lyme Green failings; claiming the independent report into Lyme Green was confidential, then the Information Commissioner ordered the release of a redacted version; compromising himself over the Local Plan, so that the Leader of the Council cannot take any part in debates over one of the most important issues for Cheshire East; allowing Council officers to draft tweets for his personal Twitter account attacking his political opponents and paying £1,000 out of his own pocket when it was revealed that the Council had sponsored a Conservative Party conference.
A spokesperson for the group said "This is not a decision that has been taken lightly. After careful thought the Labour group has decided that it needs to act to prevent further harm to Cheshire East and its residents."
In a letter to the Conservative Group at Cheshire East Council, Cllr Michael Jones wrote "Residents will know that I have tried my best, working long hours with the support of my councillor colleagues, the executive and officers, to bring about that fundamental change.
"There is more to be done, but there is no doubt that this is now the best place to live and work in the North West."
He continued "We all know what it means when politicians stoop to personal attacks – it means they can't find anything wrong with the policies.
"Notices of motion at full council meetings do not affect me but I am concerned at the affect they have on the morale of our staff; do some councillors not realise how hard our people are working for residents?
"Whatever the detractors say, residents have every confidence in Cheshire East Council and its leadership."
Updated: 8pm Thursday 26th February
The motion of no confidence in Council Leader Michael Jones submitted by the Labour Group on Cheshire East Council failed at today's meeting of the Full Council.
The Motion of No confidence in the Leader was amended to 'Full confidence' in the leader and was carried after a vote.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
"Whatever the detractors say, residents have every confidence in Cheshire East Council and its leadership."
Are you related to Michael?
and when people turn their back on you
that can leave a person feeling very disheartened.
To be popular throughout one's career Is difficult.
in fact I will go as far as Saying that that is Impossible.
after all time has shown that even when people try hard to please others
its not always appreciated and can be taken for granted.
the key thing is to not let that destroy your confidence.
and just keep trying to keep things going.
Why should we be surprised or grateful that our Council Tax has not increased in six years?
The state of our roads and pavements has deteriorated badly in that time. Street lighting has been turned off or turned down during that time. There has been a noticeable reduction in visible policing within the borough during that time. Collection of garden waste has been suspended over winter months during that period.
I could (and often do) go on!