Union man rapped for radio link
by Simon Orrell
THE PRESIDENT of Torbay Trades Union Council has been attacked by a member of the executive committee who claims the head of the council is involved with a local radio group without the knowledge and support of many of the trade unionists.
Mr Steve Roebuck, a former secretary of the council, said the majority of members did not know that the president of Torbay Trades Union Council, Mr Brian Quarmby, was a director of Bay City Radio — one of three groups fighting for the local radio franchise in the Torbay area.
“I have given Mr Quarmby several opportunities to defend himself at our general meetings but he has refused to do so. Throughout executive committee meetings it has been implied that whoever sat on the board of directors would be considered representative of trade unions if only by association.”
Last night Mr Roebuck attempted to put a motion to a council meeting in Paignton.
The motion was worded: “This trades union council supports the adoption of local radio in Torbay and would welcome the opportunity of hearing and meeting the groups involved in operating local radio with a view to the trades union council supporting the group which offers the most for trade unionists.”
Mr Quarmby, presiding at last night’s meeting, ruled the motion could not be put to the meeting as it was only handed in on Monday.
“Motions should be given to the secretary seven days before meetings,” he said. “Those handed in later are taken at my discretion.”
Mr Quarmby warned Mr Roebuck it would be unwise to give a statement to the press.
After the meeting Mr Roebuck said the council should debate in full the question of what local radio should consist of in Torbay.
“When considering those groups competing for the franchise, the IBA will take account of the make-up of the board of directors and, in particular, they will expect to see that the board is made up from the broadest possible spectrum of the community, including the trade unionists.
“It is totally against the basic principles of trade unionism for a trade unionist, in the name of the council, to be involved in anything which may seem to be personal gain,” said Mr Roebuck.
“It is wrong that the council should be involved in anything as important as local radio without the full knowledge of its members. I believe it to be counter-productive to ally to one group without first giving the other groups a chance to state their case.”
The motion was referred to the next executive committee meeting.
Mr Quarmby said today that he could not comment because the matter was to be discussed at the next executive committee meeting.
“This will also be discussed at the next council meeting and you are welcome to attend,” he said. “There is nothing to hide and it will eventually be discussed openly.”
Mr Tony Boyce, vice-chairman of Bay City Radio, confirmed that Mr Quarmby was a member of the consortium.
“Mr Quarmby succeeded another member of the trades union council, who received a public appointment and could not continue,” he said.
