THE Luddites are in the ascendency on Laceby Parish Council, according to deposed chairman Martin Greenbeck.
Councillor Greenbeck, who has served as chairman for the past five years, failed to secure re-election to the post at the parish council's annual meeting.
Instead, vice-chairman Dave Marshall was elected to the position.
Councillor Greenbeck will continue to serve as a parish councillor. However, he declined an invitation to become vice-chairman.
He told the Grimsby Telegraph he was "extremely disappointed" to lose the chairmanship, but declined to comment on the outcome of the vote other than to say: "The Luddites are in the ascendancy."
Councillor Greenbeck said one of the proudest achievements of his five years in charge was the building of the St Francis Grove play area, which he described as a "huge undertaking".
He remains chairman of the multi-agency sub-committee, which is exploring the potential for building a skate park in the village.
Councillor Marshall, who previously served as chairman in the 1990s, expressed his thanks to Councillor Greenbeck for his work as chairman.
When asked about the suggestion that Luddites were in the ascendency, Councillor Marshall said the parish council needed to "get it's breath back" after completing the St Francis Grove project.
He said: "The parish council will do things at a slower pace and take its time to think about the next project.
"We are not professionals. This is all voluntary and that's probably a Luddite speaking."
Councillor Marshall expressed hope that volunteers would come forward to fill the two vacancies on the parish council.
Anyone interested should contact the clerk Debbie Weatherill by e-mailing clerk@laceby.org.uk.
