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| Booze law claims licensers |
TWO councillors have sensationally quit Islington Council licensing
committees.
Veteran Liberal Democrat Joe Trotter and his party colleague Angela
Brook resigned last week, throwing the issuing of some of the last
new licenses behind schedule.
At the same time, cracks in the ranks of Islington’s ruling
Liberal Democrats appeared this week as backbenchers spoke out over
a “lack of respect” from the party top brass.
Both Cllr Brook and Cllr Trotter cited heavy workloads as the reason
for the their resignations.
Councillor Brook said in a statement: “I think the work of
the licensing committees has hit a small number of councillors and
put a strain on them.
“The councillors do not receive any special responsibility
allowance but nevertheless hold the tremendous legal responsibility
of a magistrate’s court. I’m doing a vast amount of casework
in my St George’s ward and need to prioritise my workload to
the maximum benefit of the community.”
Cllr Trotter’s Bunhill colleague Donna Boffa has been standing
in for him on the licensing committees.
He, like Cllr Brook, has a large workload and is on a number of
committees and governing bodies for organisation, including the
Cripplegate Foundation and St Luke’s Trust.
Councillors Euan Cameron and retiring Lib Dem group chairwoman Barbara
Smith look set to take over the positions.
The Tribune understands from off-the-record interviews with junior
councillors that there is some disquiet by licensing question of
payment for their time.
One backbencher, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Backbenchers
are doing everything and being the bums on seats everywhere.”
“More councillors would be openly critical of the leadership
if they weren’t standing again at the local elections in May.
“There’s a lot of really good people working very hard
who just don’t get any respect.”
Another backbencher told the Tribune: “The gap between the
top brass and the rest of the councillors seems to be getting more
and more. People are frightened of Steve Hitchins.”
“Some people are scared stiff to go up against him and are
scared stiff to speak out.”
Council boss Steve Hitchins said: “I have said on several occasions
that I welcome contributions from all councillors.”
Cllr Brook preferred not to comment on the backbenchers’ remarks
but Cllr Trotter said: “The trouble is (dissenting councillors)
can go to Lib Dem group meetings but they don’t ask and just
get talking to one another outside.
“If you’ve got a problem, bring it up at group –
that’s what it’s there for. Don’t be frightened to
ask.”
Members of most of the other council committees will receive a special
responsibility allowance for their time of up to £6,000, in
addition to their basic allowance of £9,162.
Licensing chairman Bruce Neave receives a £5,947 special responsibility
allowance.
Camden councillors have, on the other hand, received a bonus of
£3,000 for their work on licensing committees.
One problem for Islington is some councillors are believed to be
in receipt of benefits – which they have been warned may be
affected if they lobbied for an allowance for sitting on the committees.
Under the last round of council belt-tightening, councillors no
longer receive a stipend for their telephone use.
Chief Whip Stefan Kasprzyk is believed to have investigated the
prospect of paying the licensing committee councillors. He was unavailable
for comment last night (Thursday).
Fifty six “extremely long and stressful” licensing committees
have heard 1,128 application under the new Licensing Act. Councillors
on the licensing committees hear up to eight cases at a time and
are expected to read agendas of two to three inches in thickness.
They are expected to read everything before each meeting.
Last week, licensing supremo George Allan blasted the opposition
Labour party as “lazy” for failing to field a single councillor
to sit on licensing committees. |
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