Council leader accused of “chucking his teddies out of the pram”

A Derbyshire council leader has been accused of “chucking his teddies out of the pram” while seeking to withdraw thousands of pounds of authority funding.

The accusation was made during a meeting on Thursday (May 16) of what was supposed to be all the leaders and chief executives of Derbyshire’s councils, along with the new East Midlands Mayor.

However, Claire Ward, the new Mayor, elected 13 days ago, did not attend the first meeting of the combined “D2” councils – the eight districts, Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council.

The D2 strategic leadership board is funded by the county council and funds from business rates from the districts, county and city, with the city and county making a proportionally larger contribution.

As a result of this, the leaders of the committee have been the leaders of the county and city councils.

Its decisions will feed directly into the new East Midlands Combined County Authority – led by the Mayor – including proposals such as priority development sites in Derbyshire.

In Thursday’s meeting, councillors chose to appoint Cllr Nigel Barker, North East Derbyshire District Council leader, as chairman, and Cllr James Dawson, Erewash Borough Council leader, as deputy chairman.

Cllr Barry Lewis, county council leader, said that as a result of this action he would be withdrawing the authority’s funding from the board – £175,000 this year, plus its share of business rates.

This would be formalised at a full council meeting at a later date and could see funding continue until the end of the current financial year, the meeting was told.

Cllr Lewis told the meeting that Derby had already not attended the meeting because of the way it felt the districts were to take control.

He said: “I am particularly concerned that what has happened here today will reinforce that.

“If you are chairing this committee then you should fund the management of this committee, in order for this committee to be taken seriously.”

Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams, Amber Valley Borough Council leader, said: “I hoped we would be able to work together and I do offer the olive branch to Derby. I am a bit disturbed by some of the comments Cllr Lewis has made.”

Cllr Lewis said: “The mayor was informed of this meeting but was unable to make it and we will have a good working relationship with the mayor through this board. The working relationship between this board and the mayor is important. I do not support some of the actions of some of the members in this chamber.

“It is clear how this committee is meant to function. I don’t think you have operated in a very professional manner here today.”

Cllr Barker said: “Me being here will be more inclusive, even if I am Labour, we can be more inclusive and we are all working together.”

Cllr Lewis said: “We will be withdrawing the funding from DCC.”

Cllr Emmas-Williams said: “I just cannot believe that people are just chucking their teddies out of the pram. I am really appalled about the situation that has occurred. We are supposed to be representing the whole of Derbyshire.

“I feel like I have wasted my time here. I would walk away if it wasn’t so important.”

The board was told that it would need to reassess how it would fund itself going forward if the county council and city council funding is withdrawn, with councils potentially having to contribute more money.

Cllr Lewis said: “It is an appalling state of affairs and it is discourteous how this was done, without any prior warning. What did you expect to happen?”

Cllr Barker said: “You have as much influence sat there (on the council chamber seats) as you had sat here (in the chair’s seat).”

Cllr Steve Flitter, Derbyshire Dales District Council leader, said the councils were supposed to be working together and that he could not go back to his members and ask for more money.

He said he had expected the events of the meeting, saying: “I am the only Lib Dem here and I am not throwing my babies out of the pram because I want to work with people.”

Following the meeting Cllr Lewis said: “I am very disappointed. I felt it was very, very childish politics. This has always been a possibility but I didn’t think they would do it.”

He indicated that the county and city council representatives on the combined authority actually hold the votes, so the districts leading the Derbyshire committee to recommend issues to the authority could lead to a log-jam.

Cllr Lewis hoped the city council would rejoin the board and confirmed the county’s contribution was £175,000 plus business rates (a portion of £109,000).