Chain or no chain? - pre-election dilemma for Skegness Mayor

Coun Steve Kirk challenges Coun Ady Findley over not wearing his chain.Coun Steve Kirk challenges Coun Ady Findley over not wearing his chain.
Coun Steve Kirk challenges Coun Ady Findley over not wearing his chain.
By-elections rarely attract controversy – but the race for the Croft seat on East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) has already ruffled some feathers.

On this occasion it is perhaps not so surprising as there are big shoes to fill – the late Coun Sid Dennis was a town councillor and former Mayor at Skegness Town Council, as well as being an ELDC councillor.

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He had also been a big player locally, as chairman of the former BID Board and member of a number of local organisations such as the the Skegness Chamber of Trade, the local PPG (Patient Participation Group), Hospital Watch and Skegness Twinning Association.

The vacancy on Skegness Town Council that has also arisen following his death will be filled by co-option but it is Coun Dennis’ seat for the Croft ward on East Lindsey Dictrict Council that has become a talking point.

A by-election for the seat is to take place on Thursday, October 24, and there are five candidates:

The candidates standing are:

ANDERSON, Mark Crawford – Labour Party

COLLINS, Paul – Independent

DRURY, Carl – The Conservative Party

FINDLEY, Adrian – Skegness Urban District Society (SUDS)

GASKELL, Phil – Green Party

TUCKER, David Brian – Liberal Democrats

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Confusion has arisen surrounding SUDS candidate Coun Adrian Findlay, who also happens to be the Mayor of Skegness.

At the October full council meeting, Coun Findlay did not wear his chain of office and was quickly challenged by Conservative councillor Steve Kirk, who said he was “disappointed” the Mayor had turned up to chair the public meeting without it.

Coun Findlay explained he had been advised not to promote himself as Mayor during the period of purdah ahead of the election and so took the decision not to wear the chain at the meeting.

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“I am very proud to be Mayor and it was a very hard decision for me not to wear the chain,” he said.

However, Coun Kirk said: “Chairing a meeting is very different to being out and about at Mayoral events wearing it.

"It is just very disappointing seeing you here without it.”

To clarify further. Lincolnshire World asked Town Clerk Steve Larner to explain it.

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He said: “The Mayor may wear his chains at Council meetings. This is part of his formal role for Council and the election in Croft has no bearing on this.

However, he explained the Mayor is not currently attending any publicity events on behalf of Council until after the election for which he is standing.

"Virtually all the invitations to the Mayor which are managed through my team, have publicity attached to them,” he said.

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“Under pre-election rules we have to be guarded against using public sector resources to promote candidates.

"As a precaution during this period the Deputy Mayor will be attending photocalls/publicity events on behalf of the Council.

"This does not prevent the Mayor from attending events in a private capacity but he cannot do so as if he is representing the Council or in any official Council capacity.

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"We will also not be putting out stories on social media or on the website about the Mayor during this period.

"Official contact details etc on the website, required as a Councillor, continue to be fine.”

It is undserstood Coun Findley will resume Mayoral duties on October 29 after the election.

  • We will be bringing more on all of the candidates in the coming weeks.

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