COUNCILLORS in Kirklees voted to condemn plans for a Labour-only Deputy Police Crime Commissioner in West Yorkshire.
But today council leader Clr Mehboob Khan will sit on the recruitment panel to pick the deputy for PCC Mark Burns Williamson.
A motion, submitted by the Kirklees Liberal Democrats, won votes from the Conservative Party and the Green and Valley Independents, making Kirklees Council’s opposition to the job formal.
The deputy role, who will earn between £52,995 and £56,571, has sparked outrage among councillors throughout West Yorkshire.
Clr Andrew Cooper, Newsome ward member and head of the Greens and Valley Independents, criticised the Police Crime Commissioner saying: “We are accountable in our positions, the PCC isn’t accountable in this situation, he’s doing it because he can.
“Had he published his plans for a deputy in his campaigning he might not have been elected.”
Clr Cooper showed the full council the now PCC’s election material, which he says failed to mention he would be seeking a deputy and it would be from a Labour-only shortlist.
Clr Andrew Marchington, Lib Dem member for Golcar who stood for the PCC post last November and was fourth at the ballot box, submitted the motion. It says that in the current climate of reduced spending, a salary of £53,000 for a deputy is “unnecessary, excessive and gratuitous”.
Clr Marchington said that appointing only a Labour Party member “reeks of cronyism” and will make the public think politicians are “just in it for the money”.
The motion also said the Labour-only appointment politicises the running of the police force, restricts the pool of candidates and is discriminatory.
Clr Molly Walton, Labour Cabinet member for Health, Well Being and Communities and Crosland Moor and Netherton ward member, told the council chamber: “You need to consider that this one person is covering 22 (parliamentary) constituencies. That’s a lot for one person.”
Clr Margaret Bates, Conservative member for Liversedge and Gomersal, said: “I’m looking at this from the ratepayers point of view.
“There’s a £5 increase, will that be used for policemen or will it be for the deputy?”
Clr David Sheard, Cabinet member for Resources and ward member for Heckmondwike, said: “If I knew there was this motion I might have submitted an amendment to get rid of the whole thing.
“This council is against an elected PCC and against the expense that comes with it. But the Conservatives and Lib Dem Government wanted it and so we’ve got it.
“I think it totally makes sense to appoint a Labour Party member because that will be the best person for the job.
“Mark knows he can work with a Labour Party member”.
