Central Beds is settling down after the election fuss with just one loose end. The children's service portfolio holder Mark Versallion is still on London Borough of Harrow. I've been asking our unitary councillors about this anomaly and will continue to press until Cllr Versallion has finally decided where he is a councillor. Portfolio holder (sorry, "executive lead") is a huge job. See this from the London Evening Standard.
Not surprised they're asking questions in the Big Smoke.
26 May 2011
Not surprised they're asking questions in the Big Smoke.
Councillor agrees to quit over second seat in shires
Peter Dominiczak and Joshua Neicho26 May 2011
A Conservative councillor in Harrow announced today that he would quit after it emerged he also sits on a council in another part of the country.
Mark Versallion lives in Bedfordshire but has represented Stanmore Park in Harrow for more than a year.
But after he was elected to Bedfordshire county council this month some residents in Harrow accused him of having "no commitment" to the area.
Sources claimed that Mr Versallion, 39, a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve, would receive more than £20,000 a year for his work on the two councils. Chairwoman of the
Conservative Association in Harrow, Marilyn Ashton, said that calling a by-election would be "the honourable thing to do". She added: "I understand he has made clear to people in Bedfordshire that he intends to stand down in Harrow, but we haven't got as far as a formal agreement."
Conservative Association in Harrow, Marilyn Ashton, said that calling a by-election would be "the honourable thing to do". She added: "I understand he has made clear to people in Bedfordshire that he intends to stand down in Harrow, but we haven't got as far as a formal agreement."
The Labour leader of Harrow council, Bill Stephenson, described the situation as "a complete farce", adding: "He used to have a business in Harrow but now he lives a considerable distance away. If you are a Harrow councillor you should be able to devote yourself to it full-time."
After being contacted by the Standard Mr Versallion today conceded that it was "appropriate" that he now quits Harrow council. He said: "I still feel able to deal with my ward case work in Harrow, and indeed have been doing so since my election to Central Bedfordshire on May 5 but, as I have said even since before my election, I think it is appropriate that I stand down from Harrow council.
"This is being discussed with the
Harrow party association."
"This is being discussed with the
Harrow party association."
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