Aron: ‘I do work for the good of the town’

Businesses in Horncastle’s Market Place are missing out on a chance to boost trade because County Councillor Bill Aron failed to follow a town council instruction.
Barriers have been erected and tables and chairs placed outside Pop Inn Cafe. Picture: John Fieldhouse.Barriers have been erected and tables and chairs placed outside Pop Inn Cafe. Picture: John Fieldhouse.
Barriers have been erected and tables and chairs placed outside Pop Inn Cafe. Picture: John Fieldhouse.

Earlier this year, the town council passed a motion asking Coun Aron to apply to County Hall for a temporary Road Traffic Order which, if agreed, would have led to the pedestrianisation of St Lawrence Street.

The town council wants to give all businesses fronting onto St Lawrence Street an opportunity to offer outdoor seating.

However, Coun Aron - who is also a town councillor - has admitted he did not submit the request.

County Council procedure means only he can make an application.

As a result, only one business - on the North side of the Market Place - has been allowed to trade outdoors.

During frank exchanges at last Tuesday’s town council meeting, Coun Aron was accused of a ‘conflict of interests’ and told he was ‘working for the County Council’ instead of for ‘the good of the town.’

Asked by Mayor Coun Fiona Martin about the temporary order, Coun Aron said: “No, I have not applied.

“I had a site meeting with senior highways officers and the portfolio holder (Coun Richard Davies) and put forward the views of the town council.

“They said they could not get a temporary road order during coronavirus but they had closed off the north side of the Market Place.

“I have been back to them and said the (town) council wants a TRO in place as soon as possible and they say they will look at it again in the New Year.”

Coun Martin replied: “I’m sorry, but that’s not what we asked you to do. We asked you to apply for a TRO for closing St Lawrence Street.

“I’m sorry but Covid is not an excuse.

“Please, Councillor Aron, apply for the TRO as soon as possible.”

Coun Alan Lockwood said the ongoing delay was frustrating and unfair to businesses.

He said: “I’m afraid this is another example of Coun Aron’s conflict of interests.

“He seems to be working for the county council when he was elected to work for the good of this town.

“You should be following the town council but yet again you seem to be acting in your own interests.

“Just get on and do what we requested.”

Coun Aron refuted the allegation and said that during his long career he had always worked in the town’s best interests.

However, after hearing comments of other councillors, he confirmed he would submit the application, even though Highways Officers had told him that ‘there is little chance of securing a TRO’.

Related topics: