Reform group to nominate next chair of North Northants Council after councillor resigns post
Reform UK members of North Northants Council (NNC) will propose a new councillor as civic head of the unitary authority after the resignation of Cllr Maurice Eglin on Thursday (June 11).
Cllr Eglin resigned after offensive social media posts from his days as a ‘keyboard warrior’ on X were revealed following an investigation by NN Journal.
Previously NNC’s vice-chairman, Cllr Eglin was elected as chairman – a role with an allowance of £11,172.11 – at the annual meeting of the council on Thursday, May 21.
He resigned from the role after 21 days after admitting he was ‘guilty’ of being a ‘keyboard warrior’ when he made comments he ‘would not post today’.
A spokesman for NNC said: “The resignation of the chair of the council, Cllr Maurice Eglin, has been received and acknowledged by the authority.
“Cllr Eglin will continue to serve as a councillor serving the Barton Seagrave and Burton Latimer ward.
“A new appointment to the role of chair of the council will be made at the next meeting of Council on Thursday, June 25.”
Reform UK’s vetting process was questioned by NNC opposition leaders with several calling for the ‘guilty’ councillor’s resignation from his Barton Seagrave and Burton Latimer seat.
The chairman of the council holds a politically impartial role, and is elected annually to the role of civic head.
They have a responsibility to chair and preside over full council meetings, ensuring they run effectively and efficiently.
They also attend civic and ceremonial events as well as other functions including graduation ceremonies, church services and charity events.
Cllr Eglin’s charities for the year, as part of his role as chairman of the council, are Wicksteed Park and SSAFA.
Previous chairs of the council have been councillors Lora Lawman, Barbara Jenney, Larry Henson, Paul Bell (all Conservatives) and Reform UK’s Helen Campbell. Currently the vice-chairman is Cllr Andy Sims who represents Finedon.