Absent grit boss John Fairclough yet to attend public meeting on snow chaos

Jan 13 2011 by Tom Bristow, Crosby Herald

The Labour Councillor is paid £18,000 a year on top of the basic £9,000 to act as the political boss for Technical Services.

He said: “This week’s Technical Services Department meeting was cancelled because the cabinet meeting was cancelled for the following day.

“There is another Technical Services Department meeting planned for later this month. “This arrangement was made in November before the snow had fallen.”

Cllr Fairclough said he would not attend Area Committees until a full report into Sefton’s response to the snow had been completed.

He added: “This is the first time the snowfall and ice clearing issue has been politicised, but not just making it political from other parties, but making it personal.

“The Lib Dems are the biggest party but they and the Conservatives would rather score political points than work out how to get it right for next time it snows.”

But Sefton Conservative leader Paula Parry said the attendance at Area Committees of Chief Executive Margaret Carney, and top Council officers Jerry McConkey and Peter Moore was sufficient.