LABOUR controlled North East Lincolnshire Council has chosen the worst possible time to pull up the flowerbeds on Cleethorpes sea front, according to leader of the Conservative opposition group Keith Brookes
Commenting during an online debate on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk, Councillor Brookes said the move, which comes just months before the resort hosts the national Britain In Bloom awards, sent out the wrong message to volunteers and would damage the economic regeneration of the town.
Councillor Brookes also criticised council leader Chris Shaw for poor leadership after a reader claimed that the ruling Labour group had proposed increasing the price for meals on wheels without consulting staff.
On the issue of budget cuts to local government, he refuted the suggestion by one reader that the coalition was targeting the most vulnerable, and blamed the previous Labour government for overspending and leaving a financial mess for the present government to inherit.
However, he insis- ted that the local Conservative group does not toe a party line to central government, citing a letter to the Prime Minister expressing concerns about the UK's role in Europe as an example.
Councillor Brookes also downplayed the possibility of UKIP taking more seats off the Tories in future local elections, saying the PM's promise of a referendum would see a dip in support for the Eurosceptic party.
To read the debate in full visit www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk
