A push for South Kesteven to review its decision to underwrite the cost of the unveiling of the statue of Margaret Thatcher has been made by an Independent councillor.

The move from Coun Ashley Baxter (Ind- Market and West Deeping) follows the cabinet of SKDC deciding to pay up to £100,000 for the event should private fundraising for the event not raise enough to cover the cost.

The decision also included using a professional events company to promote the statue unveiling.

As Nub News reported earlier this month, the move has attracted criticism despite councillors insisting they can raise the cash to fund the event.

Now, Coun Baxter says the decision should be 'called in' and reviewed by the full council.

In an email to SKDC chief executive Karen Bradford, Coun Baxter said: "The Cabinet has taken the decision, in principle and practice, that the Council will support and underwrite the installation of a statue of well-known member of the Conservative Party.

"This decision has been taken entirely by local members of the Conservative party without even a proper opportunity for discussion, let alone a vote, from Members of other political parties or Independents."

Coun Baxter continued: "The original Cabinet agenda made no mention of the statue, nor the authorisation of any expenditure. The paperwork relating to the specifics of the item was not published in accordance with the proper timescale and was incorrectly dated.

"Consequently, many Members of the Council (and Members of the public) working from the original agenda were unaware of the timing or nature of the discussion.

"The statue has previously been discussed at a meeting of the Planning Committee (aka Development Management). This meeting made a decision concerning an application from a third party (GCHA) and the decision was made concerning only material planning considerations.

"A decision based on the socio-cultural aspects of the statue would have been incorrect and unlawful at that time. I do not believe that, since then, the has the issue been presented to a Scrutiny Committee.

"At the time of the Planning Committee, I do not recall any mention of the Council becoming responsible for the maintenance of the statue nor for any associated promotional events. The potential risk to the council appears to be significant and it is reasonable for councillors, other than Cabinet Members, to have an opportunity to scrutinise the assumptions and risk to council finances.

"In any case, the Planning Committee meeting was almost two years ago. The Officer's report, at the time, underlined the potential Crime and Disorder issues associated with the statue and this was before the vociferous public debate around statues in general and the vandalism and destruction of many statues of public figures including Colston in Bristol.

"There is no mention in the (late) documentation of any consultation with Grantham residents, businesses, councillors or other stakeholders other than GCHA and the Lincolnshire Event Safety Partnership's Safety Advisory Group (SAG).

"The report does not mention whether or not the SAG was for, or against, the statue and associated promotional events."

Coun Baxter added: "There is no clear outline business plan explaining how third party funding will be acquired, let alone why the council has somehow taken on responsibility for the fund-raising."

Nub News approached SKDC for comment.