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| Cllr John Fenty - experience and energy |
THE decision by John Fenty to quit North East Lincolnshire Council's cabinet is a serious setback to the authority's drive to attract investment to the area, to create jobs and to revitalise the fabric, infrastructure and confidence of the area.
As portfolio holder for regeneration, Cllr Fenty had been doing a fantastic job, helping to ensure that the authority - and its private sector partner, Engie - forged ahead with projects even as the pandemic and lockdown tightened their grip.
He has never once taken his foot off the pedal.
As a successful businessman and decision-maker himself, he helped break the curse of local government - the depressing procession of endless meetings where words flow aplenty but few actions follow.
The trouble is that, as an entrepreneur with personal businesses involvements in his own patch, risks of conflict of interest were invariably lurking around every other corner.
To his credit, Cllr Fenty never overlooked or ignored the risks - he never allowed himself to be compromised.
His departure from the cabinet stems from his awareness that his personal dealings with a controversial figure from outside the area - specifically in relation to the financial structure of Grimsby Town FC - might bounce back to embarrass the council.
Until this week Cllr Fenty has also been deputy leader of the council.
Not only that he has represented NELC on such bodies as:
* Development and Growth Board
* Engie Partnership Board
* Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Enterprise Agency Ltd
* Humber Leadership Board
* Humber Local Enterprise Partnership
His departure has, therefore, left a lot of holes to fill for NELC's leader, Cllr Philip Jackson.
Most importantly, who, if anyone, does the leader appoint as his deputy and who should take over the reins of the regeneration portfolio?
In any other times, the latter is a responsibility that Cllr Jackson would relish himself, but these are not normal times.
With the pandemic showing little signs of abating, there is plenty enough already on the leader's plate.
So who might take ever from Cllr Fenty? Happily, there is plenty of talent and energy- if not experience - in the rest of the cabinet team.
There is also the possibility is the leader might see a role for that old warhorse, Cllr Keith Brookes, the former leader of the council.
Only time will tell.
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