Decision To Remove Conservative Councillor From Committees Was NOT Politically Motivated

THE decision to remove a Conservative councillor from two prominent committees after he spoke out against party policy was not politically motivated the leader of the district council has confirmed.

Council leader Fred Brown, told the Ely Standard that the decision to remove party colleague Bill Hunt, from his position on two council committees was in no way related to his decision to speak out against party policy in recent months.

Cllr Hunt, district and county councillor for Haddenham and the surrounding villages, was removed from his position on the planning committee little more than a day after a meeting of Full Council in February.

At the meeting, Cllr Hunt provoked an angry reaction from party colleagues after he opted to vote against approving the Ely Masterplan, believing that more infrastructure was needed in the city before growth could begin.

Councillor Hunt was also shaping up to defy his party and vote against scrapping stalls on Ely Market before a last minute amendment by Cllr Brian Ashton prevented him from doing so.

The councillor was also removed from his position as vice-chair of the community services committee in October following his speech raising concerns about changes to the taxi licensing system in the district.

Despite the changes, Cllr Brown insisted that the decision to move his colleague was not politically motivated, "There is no story surrounding the decision to move Cllr Hunt from the committees and it was certainly not politically motivated.

"This is a purely and simply a matter for the conservative group and it has been a decision made in my role as leader of the group."

Cllr Hunt, who spearheaded the Say No To Mereham campaign, told the Ely Standard: "I can confirm that I have been removed from both the community services and planning committee following messages from the council leader.

"I would, however, welcome the chance to take a place on those committees again if asked.