Angry words broke out at the Stockton-On-Tees Council meeting on Wednesday (19 March). Labour Councillor Steve Nelson had missed all council meetings since last November due to illness. Under local government law, a councillor who is absent for at least six months must resign. But if a majority of councillors vote for a “dispensation”, the obligation to quit is waived.
The dispensation presented to the council meeting was based on a report from the Corporate Management Team of council officials and signed by Jonathan Nertney, Head of Democratic Services. The report assured councillors that the dispensation would be lawful and recommended that:
“Council considers granting a dispensation to allow Councillor Steve Nelson to remain qualified until such time as he is recovered from his illness and is able to attend a meeting of the Council.”
Such dispensations are usually waved through. Speaking for the dispensation was Councillor Sylvia Walmsley who had been given the same reprieve as she journeyed through her chemotherapy.
The vote
All the Labour representatives plus the handful of Independents voted for the motion.
But all but two of the Tory councillors voted against the dispensation. Not enough however to prevent it being passed.
There have been comments that the Tories’ unusual vote had more to do with realpolitik than Cllr Nelson’s health.
A hint lies in the political make-up of Stockton Council, which is classed as under No Overall Control.
The Conservatives have 26 seats, with Labour occupying 22. Labour has effective power because seven Independent councillors vote with Labour while only one votes with the Conservatives. So Labour retains a slither of a majority with just one seat.
The Tories could have reversed the balance of power and gained full control of the Council by winning the by-election that would have been triggered by Cllr Nelson’s removal.
