Colchester Conservative Association

 Cllr Paul Smith, who was sacked as Liberal Finance chief, proposed that all Cabinet Members should be on performance related pay, with himself as “guinea pig.”   Now Smith has been sacked Will has written to him asking whether this was just another false story from the Lib Dems to get their name in print, or an idea from a sincere politician who keeps to his word.  We’ll see…. 

The full letter is printed below. 

Councillor Paul Smith

Colchester Borough Council

07/04/2009

Dear Councillor Smith,

Following on from your dismissal as Portfolio Holder for Resources and Business I refer to your comments proposing performance related pay for Portfolio Holders, at the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 16^th December 2008.

In this meeting and subsequent media briefings, It is my understanding that you said that you would be happy to be used as a “Guinea Pig” in trying out performance related pay for Cabinet Members.   Now that you have been sacked from the Cabinet, I would like you to answer the following questions;

a)       Do you still stand by your comments that Cabinet Members should be put under performance related pay and that you are happy to be the guinea pig?

b)       If you stand by your comments how much money are you going to hand back to Colchester Borough Council for your inept handling of your Portfolio?

Cllr Smith, you strike me as a man of integrity and honesty.  Even though the Council rejected your proposal; I presume you remain of the same opinion.  Your electorate would be bitterly disappointed to learn this was just a cheap political stunt, which I sincerely hope it was not.

We as community politicians cannot be seen to say one thing and do another.  I very much hope that you will do the right thing by the people of Colchester and hand back your allowances for your failure in office. 

I very much look forward to hearing from you

Out of courtesy, I am letting you know that I am releasing this letter to the press and into the public domain. 

Yours Sincerely

Will Quince

Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Colchester