Tories fail to clamp transport leader

Councillor refuses to quit over 'scandals'
The Journal
Thursday, 2 November 06
By Ross Smith

Conservatives last night failed in a bid to force a leading North councillor to resign over scandals in his city's parking system.
A motion at Sunderland Council calling on executive member for planning and transport Joe Lawson to quit was defeated in a stormy civic centre meeting.
The call came after a series of flaws were uncovered in traffic regulations, forcing the council to pay back more than £30,000 in fines - and a TV documentary which recorded parking attendants making racist comments.
The Tories also called on the council to start proceedings which would see NCP, which runs parking enforcement in the city, stripped of its contract.
Group leader Lee Martin said: "Either NCP knew what was going on and turned a blind eye, or they didn't have a clue, which is complete failure of management."
Conservative councillor Margaret Forbes said NCp attendants had been acting like a "poor grade mafia", adn Coun Lawson displayed "total ignorance of any problems".
She said: "This sorry state of affairs has brought into disrepute the reputation of Sunderland Council, its citizens, NCP and others."
But with the Labour majority standing staunchily behind Coun Lawson, the motion was defeated by 45 votes to 16.
Sole Liberal Democrat member Paul Dixon voted with Labour, but admitted: "Heads must roll."
After the meeting, council leader Bob Symonds said: "Coun Lawson is very much on top of the situation and we'll take it through step by step. Coun Lawson has my full support, the full support of the rest of the cabinet and the full support of the Labour group."
A special cabinet meeting later this month will consider "all options", including finding a new contractor or taking parking enforcement back in house.
Coun Lawson told the meeting: "Sunderland's decriminalised parking enforcement regime is legally robust, lawful and enforceable.
"I shall not be resigning, I believe and my colleagues believe I am doing a reasonable job."
Labour criticised the Conservatives for focusing on problems with traffic orders rather than the issue of racism.