Oswestry mayor row sparks chaos at meeting

Chaos continues to reign over Oswestry’s mayoral dispute following a meeting.

Town councillors voted against revoking the controversial motion passed to appoint a new deputy mayor, rather than abide by the traditional method of appointing the longest-serving councillor.

The change means that Green Party councillor Duncan Kerr has been denied the post.

The meeting concluded with cries of “disgrace” from members of the public.

Councillor Kerr said: “We’re likely to have to come back here and do this again or bring it up at the mayor-making which I passionately want to avoid.”

While Councillor Kerr was in Uganda for two months as a social worker, the council made an amendment in January that saw him replaced by Councillor Mark Jones, who had served less time than him.

The move caused furore and was branded political by many councillors and members of the public who claimed that it had been used to prevent the leader of the Green Party taking on the role.

Abstain

Permitted to discuss the matter, the council was split on a vote to revoke the original decision of nominating Councillor Jones as the deputy mayor for the upcoming year, with the current mayor, Councillor Sandy Best, having the deciding vote and choosing to abstain, meaning the decision stood.

Councillor Kerr told the meeting: “It seems the council has predetermined the issue so there is no point in anyone putting any concerns to me as it’s already been decided I’m not a fit and proper person, so it would be a waste of everybody’s time to proceed further.

“You clearly have concerns about me. I’m more than happy to answer them but I cannot do that unless the decision that I’m not suitable for the role is revoked.”

Councillor Mike Coppock, who called for the extraordinary meeting along with Councillor Kerr, added: “This issue has caused an enormous amount of public condemnation of the council.

“It could be argued that it has brought the council into disrepute.”

A resident, who attended the meeting, said: “It would be nice if this council wanted fairness, openness and decency, but clearly they don’t.”

Another said: “This is a microcosm of what’s going on in politics all around the country. It’s outrageous that this can be allowed to happen.”

And another said: “It’s absolutely disgraceful.”