TOWN HALL GOSSIP

(24/06/04) Want to know the latest rumours presently circulating the corridors of the Town Hall?

NEXT MAYOR?

Yep massive surprise, ex-labour and now Tory Councillor, RAJA AKHTAR will become Peterborough’s next mayor!

Everyone at the Town hall, from officers to Councillors, knows this, although officially it is not yet true?



Back in the old days, there used to be an agreement that the mayor alternated between all the political groups that make up the Council. But then the Tories decided to enhance the supposed apolitical position of Mayor, by making sure that so long as they are in the majority, each Mayoral candidate comes from their ranks.

NO AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDEPENDENTS AND LIB DEM COUNCILLORS

Contrary to some people’s thoughts, we can categorically say that there has been absolutely no subterranean agreement between the new Independents Group and the Liberal Democrats on the Council.

To date the only official contact between the two groups has been amongst the separate Party Leaders, at Official meetings.



That said, there is of course the possibility that the Minority Group could include the Independents?



COUNCIL KEEN TO PROSECUTE!



Following the recent elections, several complaints were made to the standards panel relating to dodgy postal votes.



According to the Council, these issues have now been passed to the police who are presently investigating the complaints.



That said, its also heavily rumoured that some senior Council Officers are keen to see a prosecution take place in order to prevent a repeat at the next set of local elections.

ANOTHER COUNCILLOR NOT TO STANDARD?



This September, Cllr Sanders Snr will discover whether he is to be removed as a sitting City Councillor, when the National Standard Board announces their decision following an investigation into his behaviour.



However, work on the street is that he’s not the only one who could be facing removal from their position…….. The Councillor in question, is not a member of an opposition group!



BITTERNESS BEGINS



At the first meeting amongst group leaders, things were going relatively smoothly, when apparently, it all kicked off between Independent Group Leader, Cllr Burke and Tory Boss Cllr Franklin.



Lib Dem Leader, Cllr Sandford commented, “I was paying attention to the process of discussion and yet I have no idea as to what it was all about?”



Apparently, Cllr Franklin started waving his arms about and pointing vigorously at Cllr Burke………. Looks like someone has a grudge?



TORIES FACE MORE INTERNAL TURMOIL



Yep, big surprise here! Following the Tory increase of Councillors after the recent local elections, there are now additional members to the factions that still remain in the local Conservative group.



According to insiders, there are those in favour of a Sanders like stance and those who feel that there is a need to adopt a more modern perspective on life.



WHERE WILL SANDERS SENIOR SIT?



Nev’s back in the Council this coming Monday, but where will he sit? Will he sit near to the senior Conservatives in order to hear and perhaps advise proceedings or will he locate himself amongst the other “independent” Councillors?



TORIES OUT TO GET INDEPENDENTS?


Finally, something of a bounty has apparently been placed upon the heads of some of the Independent City Councillors, by senior Conservative Party Councillors.

So keep an eye here and we’ll let you know all the future goings on!

© Peterborough Liberal Democrats 2004