Reform accused of ‘betrayal’ by ex-members over fire station vote

Reform has been accused of ‘betraying the people of Walsall’ in a recent vote by two ex-group members.

Ex-Reformers Councillors Dan Rollinson and Bella Simon have also hit out at ‘childish’ foot stamping at a recent meeting, as well as a failed uniform policy.

On November 2, Reform councillors voted down an amendment which was put forward by the ex-members Councillors Rollinson and Simon.

The item related to the proposed night-time closure of Willenhall and Bloxwich Fire Stations by the West Midlands Fire Authority.

The Conservatives together with Reform had called for councillors to oppose any reduction to services and for the proposals to be scrapped.

Councillors Rollinson and Simon, who together formed the Walsall People’s Alliance (WPA) since leaving Reform, suggested an addition to the motion, calling for the leadership to advocate for the continuation of 24-hour operations at all stations across Walsall.

Reform opposed the amendment, causing it to fail.

The pair have accused the controlling group of putting ‘grudges and party politics’ before the safety of Walsall residents.

Councillor Simon, the group’s deputy leader, said: “I’m Short Heath, Willenhall Fire Station is in my ward. I’ve had so many residents reach out to me. Our amendment only strengthened theirs but they’ve gone against it. Councillor Williams stands in Short Heath as well so she’s gone against her own residents.”

Councillor Rollinson said: “We worked cross party in the chamber. The Conservatives raised a point about the council tax precept and we agreed to take that part out.

“If Reform had an issue with what we’d put, why couldn’t they have stood up like the Conservatives did. We would have been more than happy to accept something in the best interests of the people of Walsall.

“Voting against our amendment is a betrayal of residents. People of Walsall deserve to know why this administration’s prepared to place them in more danger.”

Responding to the criticism, Reform leader Councillor Elaine Williams said that Reform’s amendments already ensured the motion had ‘greater impact’ and that Councillor Rollinson could have approached Reform about WPA’s proposed changes ahead of the council meeting.

At the same meeting, around half a dozen Reform members stamped their feet on two occasions when members of WPA stood to speak.

The perpetrators were left red-faced when Councillor Aftab Nawaz called a point of order and accused them of disrespect.

Councillor Simon said: “It was childish playground behaviour.”

Councillor Rollinson also criticised a recent controversial dress code prepared by Councillor Williams.

The original document said councillors should notify the relevant chairperson in advance of any meeting if they plan to wear religious or cultural dress, items worn for medical reasons, military medals, small Union Jack or Saint George’s Cross pin badges and the Remembrance Poppy.

The ‘clumsy’ policy was rejected at a meeting of the standards committee where it was heard it was a ‘straight copy’ of one implemented at Staffordshire County Council.

When questioned about the dress code on November 2, Councillor Elaine Williams said if the dress code was ‘good enough for Staffordshire’ then it was ‘good enough for everywhere’.

Councillor Rollinson said: “If she’s not writing her own policies, what is she actually doing?”.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Councillor Williams said: “The amendments I made to the original proposed [fire authority] motion, which were agreed, ensured the motion had a greater impact.

“At no time did Councillor Rollinson approach me about any amendments and the first time I saw them was at the council meeting when the proposed amendments were circulated. Had he done so, we could have looked at these and not wasted time at the council meeting.

“Amendments to motions must be correct. Councillor Rollinson’s amendment shows he does not know which authority currently sets the precept for the fire service in the West Midlands and that proposing a higher precept than normal would mean that the West Midlands Fire Authority would have to hold a referendum across the area it covers which would involve a substantive cost.

“As for Councillor Rollinson’s comment as to what I do, he clearly has no idea of what the role of leader of the council involves.”

By Rachel Alexander | Local Democracy Reporting Service