In December 2019 Ofsted published a damning report that highlighted the failures of East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) Children’s Services.

Please read East Riding of Yorkshire – Ofsted Report – Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services – December 2019

ERYC Deputy Leader Cllr Mike Stathers

This was followed on 24 July 2020 when Ofsted issued ERYC with an Improvement Notice. Please read Improvement Notice To East Riding of Yorkshire Council

At the Full Council meeting of 29 July 2020 a motion was moved by Liberal Democrat Cllr Nolan, seconded by Cllr Healy;

As a fundamental aspect of the report is the failing of Senior leaders and members (Councillors) it is totally reasonable and would demonstrate transparency if “the Urgent Scrutiny Review Panel is chaired by a councillor from outside the ruling group” as it is Councillors of the ruling Conservative Group that the report states have failed.

As can be seen in the recording above the Secretary of ruling Conservative Group, Cllr Felicity Temple, aka Duplicity, “closed down the debate“ despite Conservative Cllr Jane Evison admitting:

“The motion from the Lib Dems following the inadequate Ofsted outcome was predictable and were roles reversed exactly the course of action our group would have taken”.

To watch the full 39 minutes of the motion please see ERYC Meeting – 29 July 2020 – Ofsted Motion 

During my three years as an Independent ERYC Councillor between 2016 and 2019, I witnessed similar action at every Full Council. For this reason, I never put a motion before Full Council as there is no reasonable debate due to the Conservative Group always hijacking opposition Cllrs motions for political reasons. The recording above confirms this even on such a vital issue.

Less than two days later at 09.04 Friday 31 July Cllr Jane Evison expressed how “uncomfortable” she still felt in an email to the full Conservative Group.

At 09.10 the Deputy Leader of ERYC, Cllr Mike Stathers then became engulfed in red mist and responded.

“Anymore of this and I will press for her to be removed from the Group”

Is this bullying, intimidation or blackmail? It is most certainly not appropriate for the Deputy Leader especially as a key aspect of his Portfolio is communication.

As Deputy Leader, Cllr Stathers represents the Council on various regional and national bodies, including:

1. East Riding Local Development Framework
2. Flood Protection and Resilience Board
3. Housing Tenant Forum
4. The County Councils Network
5. The Local Government Association
6. Transport for the North Scrutiny Committee
7. York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Housing Board
8. East Riding Rural Partnership
9. Humber and Wolds Rural Action
10. Pocklington School Governor

I cannot imagine any of these organisations would want to be associated with a Cllr who sends such an email.

His position as Pocklington School Governor is untenable as no school can condone bullying.

Formal Complaint

I have submitted the following formal complaint against Cllr Mike Stathers.

Dear Caroline, Richard and Matthew,

Could I please refer you to the attached emails?

Could I please register a formal complaint against Cllr Stathers for bullying and bringing ERYC into disrepute?

I believe, with immediate effect, Cllr Stathers should be removed from his role of Deputy Leader and Portfolio holder and also the various regional and national bodies he represents ERYC on, including:

1. East Riding Local Development Framework
2. Flood Protection and Resilience Board
3. Housing Tenant Forum
4. The County Councils Network
5. The Local Government Association
6. Transport for the North Scrutiny Committee
7. York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Housing Board
8. East Riding Rural Partnership
9. Humber and Wolds Rural Action
10. Pocklington School Governor

I cannot imagine any of these organisations would want to be associated with a Cllr who sends such an email.

His position as Pocklington School Governor is untenable as no school can condone bullying.

As this appears to be blackmail could you please advise has this been referred to Humberside Police?

In the interests of transparency could I refer you to LINK

Regards,

Andy Strangeway