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‘From an outsider’s perspective, this political puzzle appears fiendishly complex’, says Grantham councillor Graham Jeal
Councillor Graham Jeal, leader of the South Kesteven Coalition, focuses on the ‘political puzzle’ that is the new district council.
My youngest daughter recently got into playing with jigsaw puzzles. She excels at completing jigsaws one after the other but is less successful at tidying up. Instead of returning each piece to its rightful box, she haphazardly throws all the pieces of various jigsaws into the nearest box. As I found myself sorting these scattered fragments and contemplating the inner workings of a 6-year-old mind, I couldn’t help but draw a parallel to the recent South Kesteven District Council elections.
Much like my daughter’s scattered jigsaw pieces, different groups have come together to govern the Council, united more by what they oppose than by shared beliefs. Imagine council staff, lacking the luxury of a guiding picture on the box, struggling to determine which piece fits into which box. Will today’s focus be abolishing the monarchy, socialist redistribution, or transforming Lincolnshire into a solar-panel-covered landscape? From an outsider’s perspective, this political puzzle appears fiendishly complex.
During the election count, I optimistically suggested that increased co-operation among elected councillors would benefit South Kesteven residents. Little did I realise that such collaboration would come with a hefty price tag. At the first Council meeting, tens of thousands of pounds of public money was allocated to create numerous additional paid councillor positions. An inevitable consequence of trying to appease different competing interests.
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Imagine my delight when last week I saw the new leadership celebrating at London’s Grosvenor Hotel during the Local Government Awards. The Council narrowly missed out on the Most Improved Council award, the new leadership were literally “dining out” on some of the achievements of the past few years.
Nonetheless, a fresh leadership has emerged, forming a new administration consisting of six different political groups – more shades than a Dulux colour card. It is now our duty, as part of the South Kesteven Coalition (the recently formed opposition grouping), to work with them for the benefit of our residents. Whether we’re tackling the enigma of litter-picking on the A1 or supporting the community’s efforts to honour the legacy of Gravity Fields, we must find ways forward. We’ll also advocate responsible housebuilding while fiercely defending our cherished countryside from excessive development.
In the months ahead, we’ll face difficult decisions, but our commitment lies with the best interests of our residents. And, whilst it sometimes feels like I am talking to myself, I’ll explain again that different jigsaw pieces belong in different boxes.
