Holden bids to remove Clackmannanshire Council leader

Published 16 Sep 2009 14:32

Independent Councillor Craig Holden has submitted a motion of no confidence to the next meeting of Clackmannanshire Council regarding the conduct of the leader of the Labour administration, Janet Cadenhead.

Mr Holden has submitted his motion in relation to Ms Cadenhead's actions in relation to Alloa Leisure Bowl.

As revealed in last week's Advertiser, the council has been accused of a cover-up following the decision to put the Leisure Bowl out to tender.

It was known by some within the council at least four years ago that the decision to appoint Apex - an 'arms-length' company from the council - to run the Leisure Bowl could have been in breach of the European Procurement Directive.

To correct this, the running of the Leisure Bowl was put out to tender, and was awarded to Wasps Leisure earlier this month.

However, Mr Holden is angry that the fact the council had broken the law was never brought to the attention of all councillors, despite some - including the Labour leader - having known about the breach for several months.

Mr Holden said, "I believe that Councillor Janet Cadenhead has forfeited the right to lead this council.

"She knew that this council had broken the law and rather than do the right and bring the matter to the attention of fellow councillors and the Clackmannanshire public she chose to hatch a secret agreement in an ill conceived attempt to protect the legal and reputational position of the council.

"As a result of this, the legal position of this council has been undermined and she has actually damaged the reputation of the council."

Mr Holden said, however, that her actions in relation to the Leisure Bowl was not his only issue of concern.

"Councillor Cadenhead has adopted an increasingly autocratic style of leadership which is damaging the reputation of this council in many quarters. I know that other members are concerned about her actions and I believe I have significant support for this motion.

"I also believe that she has been the main stumbling block in preventing councillors from working together in the council chambers and in other key policy areas."

Mr Holden hopes to attract enough support to make Ms Cadenhead's position untenable.

"I hope that my fellow councillors will agree that the time has come to take action against her on this and other issues where she has clearly exceeded her remit and acted inappropriately," he said.

"I could have sought the removal of the Administration but I believe Councillor Cadenhead's removal as council leader would open new doors and enable us to move forward together in the best interests of Clackmannanshire."

Councillor Craig Holden's motion is due to go before the full council at its meeting on Thursday 24 September.

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