It may sound a trifle melodramatic to say that the assassins of democracy have struck again in Boston – but ... the assassins of democracy have struck again in Boston.
Veteran Independent Boston Borough Councillor Richard Leggott has quit as Chairman of the council’s Audit and Governance Committee – which keeps a watchful eye on the council’s finances and performance.
His credentials in public service have to be among the best in the borough; a parish councillor for 48 years, and a borough councillor since 1991. During that time he has served as Mayor, sat on most council committees, deputy leader of the council from 2002, and a cabinet member for finance and performance, until May 2006.
His lifetime in farming has served him well as a representative for Boston Borough Council on the Witham Fourth District and the Welland and Deepings Internal Drainage Boards, the Lincolnshire County Council Flood and Drainage Management Scrutiny Committee and the Wash Estuary Strategy Members Group.
Whilst all this may read like a premature obituary –what it actually demonstrates is that Councillor Leggott is a man who knows whereof he speaks – unlike many of the recently elected Tory upstarts who appear to see power as the only prize worth winning.
Councillor Leggott has decided that he doesn’t want to be tarnished with the image of a Tory stooge by remaining chairman.
His full resignation statement read:

Having worked with several members of the present administration in opposition for four years, from 2007-2011, I was hopeful that their expressions of dissatisfaction re the exclusive decision making process employed by the past (BBI) administration were sincere.

It now appears that, after two years in power, the idea of changing the process from a single party, exclusive group process, and returning it to all elected councillors is to be forgotten.
I feel that to continue taking a position as Chairman under this administration, now they have declared their on-going position on this issue, could be seen as a financially advantageous, tacit approval of the situation.
I wish to remove any such possibility.
Therefore please accept my resignation as Chairman of BBC Audit and Governance as from 5pm this evening, Friday 18th January 2013.
I shall of course continue to perform all my duties as an elected councillor for Swineshead with Holland Fen ward and the present elected spokesperson of the Independent Group on Boston Borough Council.

Councillor Leggott told Boston Eye that he thought that the audit committee – whose job  is to be a “critical friend” regarding the performance of the council, and to work with internal and external auditors –   to be seen to be fulfilling its role best, should have a non-administration councillor as chairman.

 “It is only necessary that the chairman is prepared to see that the committee realises such and acts accordingly,” he added.
“There are several councillors – both Conservative and opposition – who could well perform the role.
“But I would deduce from the appointment, at this stage, of a Conservative to the chair (of the Environment and performance Scrutiny Committee) that this was the intention come AGM time.”
Speculation now is about who might get the job.
The anticipated appointment of Independent Councillor Carol Taylor as chairman of the Environment and Performance Scrutiny Committee – to replace fellow Independent Brian Rush, who resigned last year – was thwarted by some last minute manoeuvring, which saw two Conservative councillors who had apparently pledged their support backing out on the night.
One of them, Councillor Paul Mould, claimed to have been offered a chairmanship in April if he withdrew his vote, whilst the other, Councillor Gloria Smith, was far more mysterious, telling the meeting: “I was going to vote for Councillor Taylor, but I was told something this afternoon ..." before withdrawing her support.
So who might get the job?
Councillor Mould may well have burned his boats by showing his hand in public – but the decision not to appoint an Independent member at that meeting – had its roots in a purported call to him from Council Leader Peter Bedford, who is said to have claimed that as chairmen of scrutiny committees will be able to block council decisions, the Communities and Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles had advised that it was vital where possible to have Conservative chairmen. 
Councillor Leggott, told Boston Eye that he raised this point with Mr Pickles and asked for a comment on the content of that alleged e-mail.
“All I got in reply was a statement, way off-beam, from Bob Neill MP (the Under-secretary Robert James MacGillivray "Bob" Neill.)
“A second attempt, asking that my question be addressed, has been ignored.  There is usually a reason for MPs' silence. So often, to hide the truth, I'm afraid to say.”
As a group spokesperson Councillor Leggott had tackled Councillor Bedford on the matter of opposition/administration Scrutiny Committee Chairmen to be appointed at this year's annual meeting in May, and was told that would be “for the group to decide what happens going forward.”
The group referred to was the Conservatives.
Since his resignation, Councillor Leggott says he has heard it said that he was protesting against the Cabinet system on the council.
 He added: “Whilst I do not think that the Cabinet and Leader system operating in Boston is the best system for local government, I can live with it – although there are, I believe, variations and other systems that would serve the people of the Borough better as far as democratic representation is concerned.
“My resignation was to distance myself from the present exclusive way that local government is being operated in Boston.
“The BBI operated somewhat similarly after their first year and I declined then to be part of that system, taking no chair or v/chair positions offered, on principle.
“The present administration has become so like the last administration in its decision making process that I again felt it necessary to adopt the same position.”
Commenting on Councillor Leggott's resignation, Councillor Carol Taylor said that it came as no surprise to her.
“This is a man who has and continues to dedicate himself to the belief that an honest democratic process is vital if we are to serve the public as elected representatives.
“The lack of democracy within the current administration is sadly increasing and one prime example was the failure to include not only the public in the decision to sell the Assembly Rooms but also the exclusion of elected opposition councillors throughout the process.
“When we lose a gentleman of Cllr Leggott's calibre from such an important role, things are bad, really bad!

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