Police commissioners resign East Riding councillor roles

HUMBERSIDE police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove and his deputy are stepping down as East Riding councillors.

Mr Grove and his deputy Paul Robinson will officially resign on Monday, triggering two by-elections.

The pair are standing down after Mr Grove was elected to the £75,000-a-year role in November.

He then controversially appointed Mr Robinson as his deputy – with a salary of £45,000 – against the wishes of an advisory panel.

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Mr Robinson wanted to remain a ward councillor for Howdenshire, but felt forced to resign after fellow councillors supported a motion describing the two roles as "incompatible".

He said: "I didn't want to give up my role but I was left with no alternative."

East Riding council leader Stephen Parnaby later said he was "delighted" Mr Robinson was stepping down.

Mr Robinson said: "I don't hold a grudge against Councillor Parnaby or any of the political elite at County Hall.

"It is time for me to move on and into a new phase of my life, although I remain committed to the residents of Howdenshire.

"Monday will be a sad day, but I have had a great six years as a councillor. It has been a very worthwhile experience."

Because the pair are both resigning on Monday, the by-elections are likely to be held on the same day. It is thought they will take place in May.

Mr Grove has represented the Mid-Holderness ward since 2007.

He said: "I didn't resign straight away when I was elected because I didn't want to cause a by-election during the bleak midwinter.

"The last thing people want to do in the kind of severe weather conditions we have had is go out and deliver leaflets or go out and vote.

"Having it in May is much better for the voters and for those who wish to stand.

"I also had loose ends to tie up with my council work. I wasn't fully prepared for being elected so there was some unfinished business on behalf of my residents for me to do.

"I am still a resident of Holderness and I will still be part of the community. But now I have a very important job to do, representing all of the residents of East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire."

Despite the controversy surrounding his appointment of Mr Robinson, Mr Grove maintains he made the right choice.

"At the start of my term in office, I made a very difficult and contentious decision," he said. "But Paul is absolutely demonstrating that he is the right man for the job. I am really pleased with what he is achieving."

Mr Robinson, whose main role is working with other agencies to save costs, said: "The role is fantastic.

"Through it, we can make a significant difference not just to policing but how we work with partner organisations."

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