Investigations into behaviour of some Scarborough borough councillors after no-confidence vote

Cllr Steve Siddons, the Labour leader of the council, survived the vote of no confidence by 25 votes to 20 during a heated meeting on Thursday, which took place over Zoom due to the lockdown.

During the vote, Cllr Siddons raised a point of order, claiming that Cllr Bill Chatt, who brought the no confidence motion, could be heard in the same room as Cllr Peter Popple, a fellow member of the Cluster of Independent Members group.

Cllr Siddons alleged that Cllr Chatt had “indicated” to Cllr Popple how to vote on the motion.

Cllr Popple denied this, responding: “No, he was helping me with the item.”

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Scarborough Council has confirmed that “a number” of complaints had been received following the meeting.

A spokesperson for Scarborough Borough Council said: “We have received a number of complaints about the behaviour of some councillors at the full council, which are being investigated.

“We would like to remind everyone in the borough that they must follow the lockdown rules in order to save lives and to protect the NHS.

“Staying at home is the best way of reducing the spread of Covid-19.”

Cllr Chatt said he was “unable to comment at this time” when approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.