Statement on the attempted resignation of Cllr Adrian Little
Lib Dem group councillors say: “Don’Be-Little West Northants Council!”
The local Reform party have scripted an unusual political drama, or rather farce. Exit Cllr Little, apparently driven out by WNC’s “structural failings” and resigning with immediate effect; enter the Leader of the Council Cllr Mark Annull claiming he is “thrilled” that Cllr Little’s resignation has been withdrawn. Meanwhile Towcester residents can only assume that Cllr Little will remain offstage - he does not seem to have played a central role in the community he was elected to serve.
Being elected as unitary ward councillor is an enormous privilege and a demanding and difficult role to perform well. What did Cllr Little expect to achieve in the seven months since his election? His residents will be more concerned with his availability to help with local and individual issues and how much casework he has taken on rather than his gripe with WNC’s failings.
Many of the new Reform Councillors had never been to a town or parish council meeting, let alone a West Northamptonshire one. If they had, they would have realised that local governments aren’t businesses. They have many legal obligations and governance systems. It can be frustrating, but you need resilience and resolve to cut through and get things done, not just spit your dummy out because it requires hard work.
His incompetent resignation shows he clearly has no conviction that he can contribute to service improvements. Cllr Arnull should let him go.
Neither the Leader nor Cllr Little identify what they call structural failings of the Council. To denigrate the whole organisation is damaging to staff morale - as a group we are very concerned at the exodus of experienced officers since Reform took over the administration after the May elections.
Of course, services need to improve, but elected councillors should work constructively and collaboratively with officers and their departments, not be-Little them.
You can see the original story regarding Councillor Little here: