The leader of Cheshire East Council Michael Jones’s position is under threat as he faces a vote of no confidence.
The motion has been put forward by the borough’s Labour Group leader Coun David Newton and will be seconded by fellow labour Coun Sam Corcoran.
It will be debated at the next full council meeting.
In a statement released by members of the party they list a number of ‘specific failings’ they say are attributable directly to Coun Jones, citing them as evidence to back their claims that he is ‘not fit to lead the council’.
Those ‘failings’ include the Coun Jones claiming an independent report into the Lyme Green scandal was confidential before the Information Commissioner ordered the release of a redacted version; allowing council officers to draft tweets for his personal Twitter account in breach of council rules; and the council paid £1,000 to host a stall at a Conservative conference under his watch. He later paid footed the bill from his own pocket.
A spokesperson for the group said: “The Labour group has submitted a motion of no confidence in the leader to be debated at the meeting on Thursday, February 26.
“This is not a decision that has been taken lightly. After careful thought the Labour group has decided that it needs to act to prevent further harm to Cheshire East and its residents.”
But in a statement issued by Coun Jones, he rebuffed the ‘desperate notice of motion’ as potentially damaging to the morale of council staff.
He said: “Residents will know that I have tried my best, working long hours with the support of my councillor colleagues, the executive and officers.
“It has never been my aspiration to become a career politician and I am not doing this for power or position.
“This motion of no confidence is not a big issue, it is negative politics by the Labour group. They have nothing to say on policy - it is a tragedy for them.
“I’m not worried about it this is for a headline, we will have the headlines as we create good news.”
