Independent Central Beds councillors accused of forming party group by Conservative member

Central Bedfordshire SEND Action Group - formed by members of the public - say independent councillors have been vital in highlighting and supporting their concerns.

The group responded to criticism in a letter to the Leighton Buzzard Observer from Conservative Cllr Amanda Dodwell, who stated: “If they had a shred of decency between them, they would cease to call themselves ‘independents’.

“It’s dishonest for a group of councillors elected as independents to form a group and continue to call themselves independents.”

Cllr Dodwell wrote in support of Independent Linslade councillor Victoria Harvey, who opted to sit outside the group of other Independents on the local authority, referring to “the honesty and integrity she has shown”.

Cllr Dodwell added: “I think anyone who knows anything about Victoria will know her politics and mine sit at rather different ends of the political spectrum.

“We have different priorities and we don’t necessarily agree on what we believe is right for the town.

“But what we do have in common is a desire to work for the good of the town and its residents.”

Cllr Dodwell’s letter was criticised by the Central Bedfordshire action group representing children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

“We’re thoroughly disappointed to see her attacking Independent councillors,” the group said in a social media post.

“These councillors have been instrumental in helping us to expose SEND failures and keep our cause in the spotlight.

“They’ve tirelessly supported and spoken out for the many SEND families suffering because of CBC’s SEND department and children’s services.

“This attack signals an obvious fear of real scrutiny.

“Does Cllr Dodwell feel that opposition councillors should nod and smile in agreement with everything CBC does?” the group asked.

“If not, then what does she believe their function is?

“Should decisions and actions not be scrutinised for fear of hurting the feelings of directors and heads of departments, when their failures are tearing families to shreds?”

Cllr Dodwell also said in her letter that the independents on CBC “share the same content on their social media pages, they vote en-masse and they speak as one voice against the ruling Conservative group on every issue”.

Independent candidates will often stand wanting to take the politics out of local government, “a very admirable and worthy ambition”, according to Cllr Dodwell.

“The Independent group on CBC have single-handily brought a very unpleasant form of party politics into the council chamber,” she added.

“They would dress their actions as scrutiny and holding the local authority to account.

“They have turned council meetings into something more akin to Prime Minister’s Questions … an orchestrated attack on the council’s leadership, not just limited to attacking policy and performance but individuals too.

“And they don’t just stick to criticising elected members. They also attack officers.”

CBC has said: “We’re committed to improving our SEND service and we’ve continued to make progress.

“We’re working virtually with parents and carers, and we’re listening to what they have to say.”