Meeting fails to get apology from Council Leader.
The Leader of Derby City Council, Lib Dem Hilary Jones has refused to apologise after comments made by her were released on the internet video website, YouTube.The embarrassing YouTube video shows Cllr Jones during heated debates, shouting loudly and being rebuked by the Mayor of Derby.
She also is seen and heard to refer to those who choose to watch council meetings via the internet as 'those unfortunate enough to have nothing better to do but watch this on the internet...'
At the recent full council meeting, Derby Conservative deputy leader, Cllr Harvey Jennings presented a formal question to Cllr Jones asking for her to apologise for her comments.
He said, "I was very surprised that she refused to apologise and that she said that she didn't think the YouTube video painted her in a bad light. She had an opportunity to set the record straight, to repair some of the damage to her credibility and move on, but totally refused. I think that says all we need to know about what kind of leader she is."
It was also revealed by Cllr Jones that, via its officers, attempts were made to block the video from being broadcast on both local and national news. These attempts were unsuccessful.
It is not known how much Council officer time, or what cost to the Derby tax payer has been incurred by the attempts to suppress the video's broadcast.
Watch the video below:-
Also at the meeting, Derby Conservative Councillors pressed the Council over the current poor state of our roads and pavements as well as expressing real concern over the current eight month repair back log and the viability of the whole maintenance contract - which they believe is in 'crisis'.
It was also revealed, following a question by Chaddesden Conservative councillor, Alan Grimadell that Derby City Council has spent £1.8m on publicity and advertising during the current financial year.
Your Conservative ward councillors also raised many othe issues on behalf of local residents and they also voted unamimously to reject a motion that would have seen an increase to all councillor's allowances along with a £10,000 pay rise for Lib Dem and City Council leader, Cllr Hilary Jones.
At the recent full council meeting, Derby Conservative deputy leader, Cllr Harvey Jennings presented a formal question to Cllr Jones asking for her to apologise for her comments.
He said, "I was very surprised that she refused to apologise and that she said that she didn't think the YouTube video painted her in a bad light. She had an opportunity to set the record straight, to repair some of the damage to her credibility and move on, but totally refused. I think that says all we need to know about what kind of leader she is."
It was also revealed by Cllr Jones that, via its officers, attempts were made to block the video from being broadcast on both local and national news. These attempts were unsuccessful.
It is not known how much Council officer time, or what cost to the Derby tax payer has been incurred by the attempts to suppress the video's broadcast.
Watch the video below:-
Also at the meeting, Derby Conservative Councillors pressed the Council over the current poor state of our roads and pavements as well as expressing real concern over the current eight month repair back log and the viability of the whole maintenance contract - which they believe is in 'crisis'.
It was also revealed, following a question by Chaddesden Conservative councillor, Alan Grimadell that Derby City Council has spent £1.8m on publicity and advertising during the current financial year.
Your Conservative ward councillors also raised many othe issues on behalf of local residents and they also voted unamimously to reject a motion that would have seen an increase to all councillor's allowances along with a £10,000 pay rise for Lib Dem and City Council leader, Cllr Hilary Jones.
The move would have seen her total allowances rise to around £50,000 per year.
