What is happening in West Norfolk? The shenanigans of the borough council are akin to a TV drama series – albeit without a murder. At least so far.
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council seems to have more than its fair share of issues. There is Independent Partnership Cllr Simon Nash (West Winch ward). He has been under scrutiny for his actions and breaching the council’s Code of Conduct. A councillor since 2019, he was previously chair of the standards committee.
Nash had to step down from the committee after claims of a “substandard” investigation during a hearing into the conduct of another councillor, Shimit Patel (Downham Old Town). Previously a Conservative councillor, Patel only bothered to attend two meetings during his tenure. He apologised in 2021 after admitting his guilt over allegations made against him. Given details of the case were kept secret, it’s unlikely it was to do with his attendance record.
Stormed off
In recent days Nash is reported to have stormed out of his own hearing after 30 minutes, which was conducted in private. He claims it is being carried out “unlawfully” after his two representatives were refused permission to attend. The meeting then continued in his absence but in secret after panel members voted to exclude the press and public. Nash will also now be excluded from his own hearing which is believed to relate to correspondence between himself and senior officers and other councillors.
Then there is Alexandra Kemp (South and West Lynn), who is also a county councillor for the Clenchwarton and King’s Lynn South division. Kemp has stepped away from the controlling ‘Independent Partnership Group’ formed from the Independent Partnership councillors and supported by three Liberal Democrat and two Green party councillors and led by Council Leader Terry Parish (Heacham).
Disagreements
Kemp resigned following several disagreements including the handling of the major housing development in West Winch, cuts in funding to the King’s Lynn night shelter and failure to remove housing allocated in the local plan for land off Hardings Way – which she says is in a high-risk flood zone. She argued that residents had been “treated shamefully”.
“I have no confidence in the leader and his cabinet to steer West Norfolk’s ship to safe harbours,” she said in her resignation statement. “I had hoped this administration would make a difference, but you have not had the courage to do what is needed.”
Accusations
Labour councillors have also made accusations. Shortly before the New Year, Charles Joyce (South and West Lynn), accused Parish of “picking fights”. Joyce, who was leader of the Labour group, complained that Conservatives and the Independent Partnership Group frequently argued at meetings over the lack of cooperation. He too stepped down from his position as Labour leader after disputing staff pay awards and the council’s management of its finances.
On top of changing her political allegiance, Kemp has formed a new party, the Progressive Group. Her deputy will be Colin Rose (Upwell & Delph), previously an ‘Independent member’ outside the Independent Partnership Group. The Progressive Group’s objectives will be “listening and respecting residents’ views, campaigning for change and improvements, and working strategically for the good of the borough, in a fresh can-do residents-first approach for the council”.
With 21 Conservative councillors styling themselves as ‘Local Conservatives’, the creation of the Progressive Group in opposition to the 21 strong Independent Partnership Group now puts control of the council in question. Who will the 11 Labour party councillors and the 2 Progressive Group councillors support?
Back in May 2023 when a coalition was being negotiated for control of the council, LibDem Robert Colwell (Gaywood North Bank), said “The future is bright – finally. I know lots of us have hoping for better days.”
It rather seems, that he may still be hoping.
This piece is based on a Local Democracy Reporting Service article.
