SAYS ELECTION GIVES CHANCE TO CHOOSE WAY FORWARD

MIDDLESBROUGH Council has been hit by a shock resignation.

- By DANIEL HODGSON Local democracy reporter

The news, announced on Facebook on Sunday afternoon, saw widespread support from across the political spectrum for Liberal Democrat Morgan McClintock, who has decided to stand down. Earlier this month, Mr McClintock resigned his position as a councillor on Nunthorpe Parish Council.

The former Middlesbrough Council member explained that he saw allowing an election as the way to “break the deadlock” when it comes to making “a positive contribution to Nunthorpe.”

He said: “Although we are well on the way to starting a new era with the opening of Nunthorpe’s Community Centre, Middlesbrough Council has even been asked to review whether the consortium of current local leaders should continue to manage this project.

“In this unstable environment, I have come to the conclusion that the residents of Nunthorpe should be given the opportunity of an election to choose the way forward.

“To achieve this, I have today informed Middlesbrough Council of my resignation as a ward councillor.