Dreadful attack on South Tyneside’s Chief Executive

Independent supporters have no conscience

I am appalled at the rambling post published on The Northern Herald at 07.18 this morning which launches an unprovoked and disgraceful attack on Irene Lucas, the Chief Executive of South Tyneside Council. I have left my remarks on Peter Shaw’s site, which is rapidly becoming the “voice of the Independents”.

Our paid public servants should not have to endure this type of activity, either within the council chamber or outside of it. They have an onerous job to do to administer the policies decided by the ruling majority group as well as administering the Standing Orders of South Tyneside Council, and unless anyone can prove otherwise, they are not members of the political parties that make up the council and are not in a position to defend themselves publicly. By ensuring that ALL councillors adhere to the AGREED Standing Orders they help the smooth running of the council’s affairs.

Peter’s attack is unconscionable and ought to be withdrawn, it reflects the sort of behaviour seen in the council chamber at the January meeting of South Tyneside Council at a time when it needs to be put behind us. Now that councillors have been reminded of their legal duties and responsibilities, commentators should endeavour to attack policies and politicians rather than paid officials.

It is quite plain that the information which Peter published could only have originated from one of the attendees of this meeting deciding to make the matter public, (perhaps through a third party), which is even more enlightening. And let’s be honest Irene Lucas wasn’t the only person who was appalled at the behaviour of some councillors at the January meeting, a quick scan of the Letters to the Editor page in the Shields Gazette recently provides all the evidence you need to prove that point.