Wednesday 12 May 2021

A Labour councillor has resigned from Beverley Town Council after a bust-up over allegations she made at last week’s Mayor Making ceremony. Margaret Pinder, a former Mayor and Labour Group leader was expelled from the meeting after refusing to withdraw her remarks regarding potential financial irregularities. She told Beverley FM that this was the final straw and has written a formal letter of resignation to the new Mayor outlining a long catalogue of issues ranging from charges of misleading the public over the findings of a recent Internal Audit to a query on expenses claims, the vote to appoint the new Mayor and the appointment of committee chairs. Mrs Pinder said that she could no longer associate her name with the conduct of the majority ruling Liberal Democrat group in their management of the Council, their alleged disregard for proper procedure, abuse of the democratic procedure, and their failure to deliver any meaningful benefit to the Town. It is anticipated a by-election will be called to fill the vacant seat in the Minster South Ward.

Flemingate’s anchor store, Debenhams, will close its doors for the last time tonight after shoppers empty shelves with last minute bargains. The centre’s operators say they have received extensive interest from other retailers in the site but that none of the speculation in local social media over potential big-name retailers has been accurate. They told us that an announcement is imminent on new tenants including the former Outfit store vacated after Arcadia went into administration.