Tory fuss over Barnoldswick leaflet 'shameful’, claim Lib Dems

1:30pm Friday 14th November 2008

Comments (12)   Have your say »

By Jon Livesey »

A COUNCILLOR has described the Pendle Conservatives as ‘shameful’ after a complaint was made into his conduct.

Craven ward councillor David Whipp, also a Lancashire County Councillor, has been criticised by the Pendle Conservatives for distributing leaflets, inviting families to have their say on plans for a new play area, in Victory Park, Barnoldswick, through a local primary school.

The leaflets were printed on sheets, which feature the Pendle Council logo, even though the advertised event was organised by local councillors.

Coun George Askew, of Pendle Conservatives, said he was ‘appalled’ at the Liberal Democrat representatives for misleading parents, but Coun Whipp said his conduct was ‘perfectly legitimate’ as the leaflets were not ‘politically motivated’.

The leaflets, titled ‘New Play – Your Say’, advertised an event at the Rainhall Centre on Saturday, October 11, where local children and their families could discuss the different schemes pro-posed for the Barnoldswick park.

Coun Askew spoke out after they were distributed through Gisburn Road Community Primary School, on official Pendle Council paper.

He said: “I think this behaviour from Coun Whipp and the Liberal Democrats is appalling.

"Not only have they caused much embarrassment to the school involved they have, in my opinion, abused their position as councillors and brought the council into disrepute.”

Although county council bosses could not say whether an investigation has been launched into Coun Whipp’s conduct, the Craven ward representative said he was aware a complaint had been made against him.

He said: “Essentially there has been no deception. We are condemning Pendle Conservatives for attacking us for consulting local residents and local families on plans for a new play area – it’s shameful from the Tories.

“The play area is a major investment and it is entirely legitimate for councillors to ask parents and families about it. It is nonsense for the Tories to make such a fuss.”

June Banks, head-teacher at Gisburn Road Primary, said they had a strict policy of not distributing leaf-lets from ‘independent organisations’ and that they gave them out to all their children because they appeared to be from the council and not politically motivated.

Coun Whipp added: “The leaflets are not political in any way, manner, shape, or form.

“Pendle Council issue notepaper for the use of councillors with the logo on.

"It is perfectly acceptable for ward representatives to use it, which they do so – frequently.”