Councillor to stand down due to “toxic” political environment at town hall

A COUNCILLOR has announced she is standing down at the next elections in May 2020 due to the “toxic” political environment at Warrington Town Hall.

Cllr Anna Fradgley, who represents the Lymm South Ward as a Liberal Democrat on Warrington Borough Council, has no issue with council officers, who she says do a “brilliant job.”

In a statement “written from the heart” Anna said: “I have decided that I shall not be re-standing as borough councillor candidate for Lymm in May 2020. The reason? Because of the awful politics at Warrington Borough Council. I find it a very toxic environment to be in and people need to know the truth.

“I stood as candidate so that I could make a difference to the people’s lives and our community. But that is hard when you are faced with too much politics. Can I make it clear this is not about the officers who I find work very hard, but the councillors!

“At last Borough Council meeting, the Liberal Democrats councillors put forward a motion which highlighted that the borough needs more affordable housing compared with Cheshire East and Cheshire West, and requested a cross-party group to look into how we could increase the number.

“The Cabinet members presented their case against it and then not one Labour councillor put their hand up in support, but voted against the motion! Against more affordable housing in Warrington!!

“Well I was shocked. It was obvious that they had turned it into a political weapon, just because we are in the middle of a general election. They are whipped.
“Everyone could see right through it – it was obvious! So, that side of the chamber put politics before people!

“I even confronted three Labour Councillors afterwards and I was told that “This is politics, Anna”.

“I decided there and then that I can’t be in this toxic environment any longer, as it is not good for me mentally or physically.

“I am so sorry not to be re-standing, but I’ll leave that to someone stronger than me, who can survive in that environment. More people need to go to these public meetings and hold their councillors to account.”

Cllr Fradgley, who recently launched a new business venture, has also decided to stand down as a parish councillor at Lymm, to avoid “getting sucked back into politics.”

Lib Dem group leader Cllr Bob Barr said: “I am very sorry that Anna will not be standing for the borough council again. She has the passion and drive to serve her community and has been an outstanding councillor. She will leave a gap on the council because we need people with her values, independent thought, and commitment to serve. She has had a particular impact on planning matters which she researched meticulously and argued convincingly. I will miss her.”

But Warrington Borough Council leader and Labour Group leader Cllr Russ Bowden responded:”Contrary to Councillor Fradgley’s assertions, the council’s Labour Group are strongly in favour of substantially increasing the amount of affordable housing we have in Warrington. However the Liberal Democrat motion contained inaccuracies and failed to recognise the policies already in place to address this issue, to such an extent that the motion was unamendable. Far from voting against affordable housing, the Labour Group agreed to examine this matter further at the Building Stronger Communities Policy Committee – this is the best forum for members from all parties to feed in suggestions and ideas on policy development.

“The ability to deliver affordable housing in this town – and indeed nationally – has suffered under this Tory government. Warrington’s Labour Council has worked to address the issue, setting up low-cost loans to social housing providers – enabling them to build more houses – and establishing our own housing company so that we can set the standard in building homes for the future. We have clear policies on affordable housing already in place. We’ve also taken a strong stand against private developers’ use of leasehold and exorbitant management fees which have had such a devastating effect on many owners of new-build homes in our town.

“However, without a Labour Government, fully committed to increasing the amount of affordable housing for all, there is only so much we can do as a council. That is why Labour’s manifesto – published today – puts housing as one of the key issues we want to address in government. A decent home shouldn’t be a luxury for only those who can afford. Under Labour, housing will be for the many and not just the privileged few. Labour in government would embark on a massive housebuilding programme of social housing, creating more than a million homes across the country in a decade.

“When Cllr Fradgley complains about party politics, it would be worth her remembering that it was the Liberal Democrats in government who helped to push through policies such as Universal Credit and the bedroom tax which have failed the very people who most need help with housing. Unlike Cllr Fradgley, who no longer has the appetite to be a councillor here in Warrington, Labour councillors will always continue to work hard to deliver the change we want and need to see.”