North Tyneside's Conservative group has formally requested that the council organise a full council meeting for a vote of no confidence in the council's chair, councillor Wendy Lott. The request follows an incident last week when councillor Lott was recorded saying 'oh shut up' as campaigners for the outdoor education centre High Borrans were leaving the council chamber.
Petition presented to full council
The Friends of High Borrans presented full council last week with their petition, which amassed over 2,000 signatures, calling on the council to pause its decision to close the centre by November this year. The council's Labour administration voted to simply note the petition, instead of referring it back to the cabinet or senior officers, prompting cries of 'shame on you' from the public gallery as people were leaving.
Councillor Lott could then be heard saying "oh shut up". When approached last week, councillor Lott told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the comment was directed at a former Labour councillor and campaigner and not to the group as a whole.
Conservative group calls for resignation
The deputy leader of the Conservative group, Lewis Bartoli, said: "We formally requested an extraordinary meeting so that every councillor can debate this matter openly and decide whether the chair retains their confidence. Residents who attend council meetings deserve courtesy and respect, and elected members must be able to contribute to debate under fair and impartial chairing.
"We hope councillor Lott will do the right thing and resign as Chair. If she does not, the council must have the opportunity to reach a decision."
The North Tyneside Labour group and councillor Lott, also a Labour councillor, were approached for comment.
Planned closure of High Borrans
Earlier this year, North Tyneside Council controversially announced it would close the Cumbria-based outdoor education centre by November, sparking public outcry. The council has maintained that the centre will cease to operate, citing a £3m maintenance bill and declining school trips.
