A MAVERICK councillor’s bid to become Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane took a dramatic twist this week after a bitter battle broke out at the civic offices.
Councillor Phil Heath is currently serving as Deputy Mayor and was due to take the figurehead role in May as he is currently the most senior member of the council.
But he lost a controversial vote to determine whether he would become Mayor at last Thursday’s crunch meeting.
Never far from controversy, Cllr Heath left the Tories last year after an argument with a party worker and formed the Basingstoke First Community Party with wife Christine, who also sits on the council.
But following a number of complaints against Cllr Heath, there is an investigation ongoing by the Standards Committee and attempts have been made by some councillors to block him taking the position of Mayor.
The post is normally given to the most senior member of the council but a lack of support from the Leader of the Tory Group resulted in a vote on his suitability.
This vote went against the constitution, which states the position of Mayor goes to the most senior member of the council, according to the opposition Labour Group, who refused to take part in any vote on those grounds and walked out of the council chamber.
However the council’s legal team believed this would not be in breach of the rules and, following an impasse, a vote was held – with 29 voting against Cllr Heath and 15 for, while three abstained.
Councillor Heath believes the office of Mayor has now been destroyed and can never again be an a-political appointment.
Read Thursday's Observer for the full review...
Monday, May 21st
Last update12:06:34 PM GMT
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