The Mayor of Dover has defended his objections to an order which would see two community directors appointed to Dover Harbour Board.

A Harbour Revision Order submitted by DHB last year is still under consultation and without this being agreed by the government the two directors cannot legally be appointed.

Dover Town Council has objected as it claims the order would ‘undermine’ and ‘disempower’ the two directors, Neil Wiggins and Samantha Parker.

Mayor of Dover Chris Precious said: “We all want to be sure that Neil and Samantha are not outvoted and undermined at every turn by a board and chairman, who for over five years have consistently shown themselves less than enthusiastic about real community benefit and genuine community involvement.

“We all agreed that the way it was worded would mean Samantha and Neil would be powerless and hamstrung when they joined the board. So we objected along with employees, Dover People’s Port Trust, the MP and others.”

Cllr Precious said that after the initial objection, the revised version was still “ambiguous at best and could hamper the drive for the real community involvement in the port the town overwhelming voted for”.

“We want to withdraw our objection and get the directors on board but they need to join with a level playing field and real opportunity to represent our interests. All we are asking for is for three existing members of the board, including the chairman, George Jenkins, to be replaced by new appointees with a clean slate.

“DTC will not sell the town of Dover short – and it hasn’t lost its enthusiasm in fighting for the long-term interests of Dovorians, unlike some other politicians.”

However, district council leader Paul Watkins said: “We are very disappointed that the process can’t be conducted and any impediment in the way ought to be dealt with. Now is the time for statesmanship rather than being pedantic.”

The town council is now in negotiations on the second draft of the Harbour Revision Order.

The Port of Dover said it is clear it is only the continuing objection by Dover Town Council which now prevents community directors from joining Dover Harbour Board.

A spokesman for the port explained that chairman George Jenkins will stand down in June 2016, and the recruitment process for a new chairman has already begun.

The spokesman said: “The fact that a process for recruitment of a new chairman has already begun, a fact that has already been communicated by a Minister of State to DTC, paints an unusual picture of a council calling for something which is already happening to now commence at their request. We find this curious in the extreme.

“The current board has delivered all bar one of the points referred to by the then Minister, Stephen Hammond, in April 2014, and it is only DTC who prevent delivery of the final chapter via our revised Harbour Revision Order.

“Community directors will add an additional and further complementary voice to an already successful and developing board and we look forward to welcoming them aboard.”