Two independent Scarborough Councillors form new political group

Two independent councillors in Scarborough have joined together to launch a new political group on the authority.

Neil Heritage and Sam Cross, who have both at one time represented UKIP on Scarborough Council, have formed the Yorkshire Members Coastal Alliance.

Cllr Heritage, who will act as the group’s leader, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the pair had grown “frustrated” in their efforts to get information from the authority and hoped to recruit new members.

He said:

“Although we are remaining independent in our decision making Sam and I have similar ideas going forward and decided to work together on these.”

He added the both oppose the council’s plan to borrow £22 million to build 200 flats for students and NHS staff on the former Argos site in Newborough, which would also create a number of commercial properties.

Cllr Heritage said the pair had differing views to the Labour and Independent administration when it comes to Local Government Reorganisation.

He added:

“We believe that having one unitary ’stronger together’ North Yorkshire County Council is the best way going forward in the government reorganisation plan, where reducing officers, staff and councillors would have the best savings for the taxpayers while in my opinion still delivering the same services.

“We are also of the same opinion that abolishing and trying to reorganise the two-tier council system mid pandemic and even in the immediate aftermath post-pandemic is the wrong time to go ahead with this.

“Going forward we hope to recruit new independent members from all along the Yorkshire coast who would like to stand in local elections.

“Together we hope to give the candidate the best chance of election, away from tribal party politics.”