A Lichfield councillor has called for his colleagues to stand up against the red tape and the “ghosts of society”.
His comments come after the city’s Mayor Terry Thomas stood down from his role as governor of Chadsmead Primary School after he was ordered to have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check – even though his role does not involve contact with children.
And independent Lichfield Councillor John Walker believes his colleagues from all political parties should take a stance against “faceless rule-makers”.
He explained:
“Terry has done a great job ever since he got the job and has had my full support ever since. But this latest incident of political correctness from the faceless rule-makers is a step too far. Why should we continue to tolerate red tape such as this?
“These people are the ghosts of society – no-one knows who they are but we are all continually bound by the rules and regulations they put in front of us.
“As a result I will be asking all councillors to take a stand in support of Terry and to remind these rule-makers that we are the elected people in society and should be the decision-makers.”
Cllr Thomas explained the reasons behind his resignation, citing excessive red-tape. He told the Lichfield Mercury:
“It is just another case of this top-down, control freak government wasting school funds on checks, wasting civil service time and, worst of all, insulting people who undertake this onerous task voluntarily.”
