Tory poll gains – but chief resigns
ROSSENDALE Conservative leader Peter Steen said he had reflected on the words of Sir Keir Starmer before stepping down in the wake of Thursday’s local elections.
Coun Margaret Pendlebury, who represents Greenfield ward and was Coun Steen’s deputy, will take charge of the new group.
The Conservatives made two gains at Thursday’s Rossendale borough council elections as Labour-led Rossendale moved to No Overall Control, however Coun Steen admitted he was “disappointed” not to have made further inroads with Boris Johnson’s Tories riding high both regionally and nationally.
The veteran councillor said he took the decision that a change of leader was needed after reflecting on the election results, even prompted by the words of embattled Labour leader Starmer.
He said: “Over the weekend I had conversations - and in Rossendale the results weren’t so good. Sir Keir Starmer said the leader must take responsibility, which I’ve done.”
Coun Steen, who decided not to defend his Whitworth & Bacup county council seat at last week’s polls but remains a Greensclough ward councillor, said age was also a factor in his decision.
“I’m 73 in three months’ time and I haven’t seen the grandchildren in nearly two years,” he said.
“I had long conversations with Margaret and she reluctantly accepted my desire to resign. She has my full support and she’s done a cracking job as deputy in the time I’ve been leader.”
Coun Pendlebury said: “I’m delighted to be able to take the lead for the Conservatives. The elections have shown that there is a real desire for change across the Valley.
“Labour were knocked into third by residents in Whitworth and no longer have control of the council. There needs to be a fresh start and a new approach.
“As a council we must listen and act on what our residents tell us. We will work constructively to deliver for Rossendale - and not be afraid to robustly challenge when we don’t agree.” Newly elected Goodshaw councillor David Foxcroft - an outgoing county councillor - was named deputy leader.
Coun Foxcroft said: “With the election of a Conservative PCC (Police & Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden) and the county council staying in Conservative control, residents have clearly opted for people who will get on with the job and support the plan to build back better after the pandemic.”
Rossendale’s Tories also performed worse than elsewhere in Lancashire in the county council polls, relinquishing three seats of their five seats to Labour - including Rossendale East where Coun Pendlebury’s bid to defeat Labour’s Jackie Oakes was effectively ended when former incumbent Jimmy Eaton defiantly opted to stand as an independent against his new party leader and collected a decisive 25.6pc vote share. ●Elections coverage on p16-18