Member banned over his conduct

Saturday 20th September 2008, 10:40AM BST.

A Lichfield district councillor has been kicked out of a community partnership over “disruptive” behaviour.

The North Lichfield Initiative, made up of residents, voluntary organisations and partners including the council and police, has barred John Walker, citing inappropriate comments he made about other members and a string of complaints about his conduct.

The district councillor is said to have behaved in a disruptive manner at a July meeting of the NLI’s environment and transport sub-group.

Councillor Walker, of Samuel Close, was suspended from the NLI’s activities for two months in the past as a result of complaints about his behaviour at meetings.

Following the suspension he signed an undertaking to abide by the NLI’s code of conduct or face being kicked out for good.

The board of the NLI, which is dedicated to improving the area of North Lichfield, has now said it had “no alternative” but to permanently bar the councillor. Mike Kinghan, chairman of the board, said: “We are seeking to maximise the involvement of local residents as well as public agencies in formulating NLI priorities and it was clear to us that his behaviour was potentially a serious barrier to participation.”

Councillor Walker said it was his job to be disruptive. “The NLI is supposed to be about the residents but the council have taken over everything,” he said.

“I’m there to speak up for the people of the area, so sometimes I’m going to be disruptive.”



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