Councillor quits over sex shop decision
PHIL Wait, Fenland ward councillor for Parson Drove and Wisbech St Mary, has resigned following the decision to grant a licence for the sex shop at Guyhirn.
Mr Wait (pictured) spoke on behalf of some of the objectors at the recent district council licensing committee which granted the licence for what is expected to be the county’s largest sex shop.
Businessman Tony Ibrahim sparked controversy with his application for the former Little Chef premises off the A47.
Mr Wait was elected as a Conservative member to the Tory-controlled district council in April following a by-election and he sent his letter of resignation to district council leader Geoff Harper on September 22 – six days after the sex shop licence was granted.
Driving instructor Mr Wait told Mr Harper in his letter he was “still having difficulty accepting the decision of the licensing committee”.
He is concerned about the location of the proposed business and feels it is in a prominent entrance to Fenland.
Mr Wait said he came on to the council to support the community and doesn’t feel the right decision has been made. His letter said he didn’t want to be part of that team.
After speaking for over ten minutes at the licensing meeting, Mr Wait urged councillors to defer making a decision and meet the objectors.
“I was fuming and angry after the meeting,” he told the Citizen.
Mr Wait said his aim of being elected on to the district council was to represent the community not to be a politician.
“I am not really a politician. I don’t see myself as a politician I see myself as someone who has been around, I have got views and I’m prepared to stand up and fight for people,” he added.
Mr Wait said he is disillusioned with the council and said: “I am one of 40 and I just don’t feel I am going to be able to make a difference.”
Solicitor Steve McGregor, who represented Mr Ibrahim at the licensing meeting, pointed out his client had chosen to apply for a licence when he could have opened an unlicensed premises and this way the council has more control.
The committee granted the licence for a year, subject to conditions.
Speaking about the resignation, Mr Harper said: “It is with great regret we heard about Phil Wait’s resignation last week.
“We understand and sympathise with his decision to resign on a matter of principle after just six months on the council.
“However, this does mean that the Fenland tax payer will have to pick up the bill for a by-election some time in the future.”
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Weather for Wisbech
Thursday 17 May 2012
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