A CODE of conduct complaint made against Newquay’s mayor has been rejected after he was accused of politicising his role whilst attending a protest.

Cllr Drew Creek had the complaint made against him by town councillor Nick Morris for wearing the Mayoral chain to the event, which was held to oppose the Conservative Cabinet proposals to transfer 28 of its car parks to Cormac.

Cllr Morris argued Cllr Creek had “abused” his position as mayor.

Cllr Creek, who is part of the Green Party, stated he attended the protest to hear the views of his constituents and believes the complaint was “politically motivated.”

Simon Mansell, the group manager (assurance) at Cornwall Council, who rejected the code of conduct complaint, stated the issue concerning the car parks is one which has created local concern.

The council officer said he could not find fault with members of the town council, including the mayor, supporting the protest as the car park proposal has the potential to have an effect on a large number of people.

Cllr Morris in the complaint stated: “‘Drew Creek has abused his position as mayor and politicised the office of mayor.

“He has attended at least one demonstration in his capacity as mayor and wearing the mayoral chain of office protesting at a political demonstration.

“This was on the issue of local car parks which he claims is under threat of privatisation by the local Conservative council.

“His politicisation of the mayoral office can be evidenced further on his Facebook page Drew Creek Mayor of Newquay.”

Cllr Creek said: “This ridiculous complaint by the Conservative councillor Morris is exactly what we have sadly come to expect from this group putting political point scoring before the work of improving our town and working for the community.

“I attended this important grass roots campaign to listen to the voices of my constituents whom I serve as mayor of Newquay.

“I will not and have no need to apologise for my commitment to our community and ensuring we protect our public assets from these hare-brained ideas by the current Conservative administration at Cornwall Council.

“It is despicable that Conservatives are attempting to bully those who protest, to silence voices opposed to their asset stripping policies.”

Mr Mansell said: “In considering the complaint the starting point is, as with all ethical standards complaints, that it is assessed against the code of conduct and the procedures for assessing complaints adopted by Cornwall Council.

“These require that the information provided is assessed on the balance of probabilities which is, would a reasonable person objectively considering of all the facts be of the view it is more likely than not that the actions of the subject member amount to a breach of the code of conduct.

“In considering the role of mayor and looking at the role of the subject member on the town council’s website it sets out clearly that he is a member of the Green Party and therefore the role already carries a political element with it as it can be difficult to separate the role from the person and the politics.

“Additionally, I have looked at standing orders and other documents which are on the council’s website and have not been able to find anything which would restrict when the chains of office can be worn.

“I am also aware that there are protocols which set out when the chains of office should be worn, but not when they shouldn’t.

“With regards to the event which the subject member attended, I have read several press reports on this and objectively this would not be seen as a ‘political’ demonstration as has been set out in the complaint.

“The issue concerning the car parks is one which has created local concern, and this has the potential to have an effect on a large number of people and I cannot find fault with members of the town council, including the mayor, supporting it.

“Therefore, in consideration, this complaint is rejected.”