Council supports chairman over police questions

Members of Newark and Sherwood District Council have unanimously passed a motion of confidence in their chairman, Mrs Linda Tift.

Mrs Tift, a Labour councillor, strenuously denies an allegation of theft of documents relating to the organisation of Wellowfest in 2016.

Mrs Tift was due to be questioned by police over the allegation, which was based on a statement by the organiser of the festival, Mr David Chapelhow.

Mrs Tift has described the allegation as “absolute rubbish.”

Proposing the motion at a full council meeting on Tuesday, council leader Mr Roger Blaney (Conservative) said: “I am sure the council is aware of why this motion is before us and I hope it can be forwarded, seconded and voted on without further debate.”

The motion was seconded by Labour group leader Mr David Staples. Mrs Gill Dawn, who leads the independent group, also spoke in support.

After the motion was passed, Mrs Tift said: “When you put yourself up for election you do so in order to do your best for your communities.

“That requires us to put our heads above the parapet.”

She said councillors were required to have faith in the processes of the council, in how decisions were reached and to have faith in the integrity of each other.

Mrs Tift said she had received support from councillors and members of the public and she thanked all those who had been in touch.

The documents were from a meeting of a safety advisory group for the festival, where Sir Bob Geldof’s Boomtown Rats and comedian Jim Davidson appeared.

Safety advisory groups meet to decide if a festival can be licensed to go ahead. Wellowfest was held in July 2016.