95 per cent condemn decision not to attend public meeting
The leader of Northampton Borough Council declared last night he would not be resigning nor would he be sacking anyone despite overwhelming criticism in a snap poll by the Chron.
Yesterday this newspaper asked 300 people in Abington Street whether – following the decision not to attend the public meeting in the Guildhall on Monday – they still had faith in the political leadership of the borough council.
Ninety-five per cent replied no.
It came after members of the public expressed anger at the council's cabinet for refusing to attend the meeting, where people raised concerns about the redevelopment of Sixfields, the future of the Fishmarket art gallery and plans to alter the Market Square.
Despite the survey results and public calls for some cabinet members to resign during Monday night's tense meeting, Guildhall boss, Councillor Tony Woods (Lib Dem, St Davids) said he is not going anywhere.
He added: "I'm not sacking anybody from the cabinet and I'm not resigning."
Opposition leaders at the Guildhall have called for the council leader to at least apologise for refusing to attend the meeting.
But Councillor Woods said he still believed it was the right thing to do and pledged there would be positive news on the town's regeneration soon.
He said: "I'm not surprised that given the headlines we've had in the past few weeks we're not the most popular people in the world.
"But what's probably not clear to people is the vast number of projects we're currently working on.
"So it's positive that we've got a clear message from people that they want regeneration.
"However, we've got to get the plans right before we start laying bricks."
Despite the council leader's defence, Guildhall opposition leaders have called for a change to the council's cabinet following the Chron poll.
Deputy opposition leader, Councillor David Palethorpe (Con, Billing) said: "People have every right to expect better leadership and to demand senior Lib Dems consider their well-paid positions."
Councillor Tony Clarke (Ind, Castle) added: "Tony Woods has to apologise for not attending the meeting. It was an error of judgement and he needs to be big enough to admit that."
Labour's Tess Scott: (Lab, Castle) added:"I think the poll shows what an error it was."
The results were: Yes: 15 (5%) No: 285 (95%).
The survey was carried out in Abington Street between 10.30am and 2.30pm on Tuesday.
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