No Political Affiliations, says Cllr Fernando
Cllr Lucien Fernando, who became ward councillor for Silverhill on a Conservative ticket in May 2022 but has now left the party (see HIP 227), says that his future votes on Hastings Borough Council will be determined in each case after full consultation with his constituents.
Cllr Fernando has joined the Reform UK party since his departure from Conservative ranks (“I resigned”, he claims; “he was expelled”, says Cllr Andy Patmore, the leader of the Tory group). However, with no councillor colleagues to align with, it seems that his new party will let him go his own way in local politics.
And, in effect, he could exercise a balance of power in the council chamber, since the Labour party administration, holding 15 seats, would need his vote to tie with any opposing combination of the Conservatives (11 seats) with the Greens (five seats), and thus trigger a casting vote in their favour from Labour mayor Cllr Margi O’Callaghan. He says, on the other hand, that he is “not inclined to take sides based on political affiliations. My focus remains on objectively evaluating each issue and considering its potential impact on our community”.
There is the potential for a vote, for instance, at the next full council meeting on 28 July concerning the proposed relocation of Hastings United Football Club from Pilot Field to Tilekiln. Although the Labour cabinet passed a firm resolution on 5 June to reject the move (which would require council approval as the freehold owner of both sites), Conservatives and Greens have in the past shown more support for it and could in theory combine to overturn the rejection. So what are Cllr Fernando’s intentions?
“I have not yet made a definitive decision”, he told HIP last week. “As with any significant matter, I believe it is essential to engage in open and meaningful discussions with my constituents. I want to gather their perspectives, understand their concerns, and incorporate their input into my decision-making process… If Silverhill residents want to share their views on this matter, I am encouraging them to send their views to my inbox, which is open for them 24 hours a day”.
One issue that he has taken up in recent weeks is the failure of the Highways Department of East Sussex County Council (ESCC) to cut the verges on several roads in his ward. Concerned residents had complained of grass growing to a height of almost four feet which (he says) was impeding visibility and posing safety risks for both pedestrians and motorists.
ESCC responded to him that they were “using available budgets in the most cost-effective way. Repairs are prioritised based on the level of risk an issue poses.” However, they do appear to have mown most verges in the area in recent days.
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