North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) has come under scrutiny after using taxpayers’ money to fund an event which promoted political parties.
The Council has been slammed for wasting over £400 of taxpayers’ money to fund the Chesterfield & District Trades Union Council’s May Day Parade, whilst residents in the area suffered another Council Tax bill increase.
The event featured several speakers who explicitly promoted the Labour Party and criticised the Government and non-Labour MPs.
Cllr Martin Thacker, Leader of the Conservative Group at NEDDC, commented: “Labour-run North East Derbyshire District Council are, yet again, getting it wrong.
“Regardless of your political affiliation, the Council has no business giving money to their friends in the unions to fund an event which allows its speakers to promote the Labour Party.
“If the Council has even a few pounds to spare, it should be putting that money into providing better services for residents.
“I have no problem with the May Day event in Chesterfield and it can promote whatever party it wants – just without using hard earned money from ratepayers. North East Derbyshire District Council needs to realise we aren’t living in the 1980s anymore.”
“Hardworking residents in North East Derbyshire deserve better than this.”
NEDDC’s contribution to the “organisation” of the Chesterfield & District Trades Union Council’s May Day Parade can be found here and selecting Grants to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector updated in real time.