ERYC Has a Track Record Of Undermining Democracy Says Margaret Pinder

The news that ERYC has been allowing private emails between constituents and their councillors to be intercepted by officers must be of concern to all residents.

Three Conservative councillors have now quit the governing Conservative Group to stand as independents accusing leader, Stephen Parnaby, of operating a North Korean-style dictatorship at the council.

This should come as no surprise to anyone who follows the activities of our unitary authority and their history of private decision making, failure to listen to criticism or concerns from both councillors and public alike, and delegation of decisions that should be made by elected members to officers.

The campaign for the preservation of the setts in Beverley and the furore surrounding the still unexplained leak of private correspondence between Professor English MBE and a council officer are a case in point.

In 2013 Labour councillor Josh Newlove campaigned to allow council meetings to be recorded in accordance with government guidance, but this was rejected by the Tory administration.

Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Beverley & Holderness, Margaret Pinder, has challenged East Riding Council to clean up its act.

“We have an anomalous situation where council business which should be open and transparent, remains largely opaque. Anyone reading ERYC minutes can see how little information these reveal.”

“But against this, correspondence which residents should be able to regard as confidential, is passed around to officers and in some cases made open in council meetings.”

“What we are seeing is an abuse of power that strikes at the heart of our local democracy.”

“7 May this year sees elections at both national and county level when those behind this current regime may find the judgement of their constituents turning firmly against them.”

“ERYC has a track record of undermining democracy; democracy will soon have its chance to strike back.”