Council chiefs silent on stay local plea from holidaying leader

Councillor Angie Dale pictured making scrubs during the first lockdown.

District council chiefs have remained silent today after council leader Angie Dale urged local residents to stay local while on holiday in the Maldives.

The councillor has attracted criticism after it was revealed she was on holiday when the plea was issued on Friday afternoon.

In the joint statement issued by Richmondshire District Council and Craven District Council, Cllr Dale said: “The number of Covid cases is rising dramatically every day and we are told we haven’t reached the peak yet, so it is vitally important that people heed the stay local message.

“Our beautiful Dales will still be here to visit when this pandemic is over – please do not make unnecessary journeys now and exercise close to your home.”

While the councillor has not broken any rules as she left before the lockdown started on January 4, Cllr Dale’s decision to go on holiday has been called into question.

Upper Dales county councillor Yvonne Peacock described the trip as “disappointing”.

She told a national newspaper: “I think it is disappointing when we are in lockdown and people are suffering that the leader of the council is not in the country.

“In the first wave we kept very safe in the upper Dales but unfortunately now we are getting increasing numbers of people with the Covid virus.

“We are very nervous of this and I am urging everyone to follow the rules because it is getting very serious here, reflecting the rest of the country.”

Other councillors have also criticised the issuing of the ‘stay local’ request from a councillor on holiday.

Cllr Dale helps run the Colburn Hub and Community Cafe, which provides hot meals to the elderly.

The meals service has continued to operate during the pandemic with a delivery service organised when the cafe has been unable to open.

It has also delivered emergency food parcels to the vulnerable.

Cllr Dale also organised a team of volunteers to make PPE for NHS staff and care workers during the first lockdown.

Richmondshire District Council and the Cllr Dale have today declined to comment further on the issue.

2 Comments

  1. How very disappointing that someone in such a responsible position should behave in such a hypocritical, irresponsible and selfish way. I’m sure many, many people who have supported Ms. Dale in the past would love to get away for a while. However in respect for our countries leaders urgent request and for the safety of ourselves and other people have decided to do the right thing and stay put.
    The honourable thing for this person to do is resign on her return with immediate effect.

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