Labour look set to stay in control of council chamber
ALYSON Barnes looks certain to stay at the helm of Rossendale council after a dramatic week in which the Conservative group changed leader and then ceded the gains made at last week’s local council elections.
The council, which was left in No Overall Control following last Thursday’s polls, confirmed on Tuesday that Bacup husband and wife Tory councillors Jimmy and Janet Eaton will from now on sit as Independent members at Futures Park.
The announcement came less than 24 hours after the group announced a change of leadership, with Peter Steen handing over the reins to his deputy Margaret Pendlebury.
Greensclough ward councillor Jimmy Eaton had been suspended from the party having stood against Coun Pendlebury in the Rossendale East county council election after she beat him to the Tory nomination. Prior to last week, Labour held a small majority. Labour now hold 18 seats, the Conservatives back to their pre-election mark of 13, with Community First two, and three Independent councillors.
The council leader will be appointed at the council’s Annual General Meeting on May 21.
In a statement, Rossendale council said Labour’s Alyson Barnes looks highly likely to remain as the leader of the authority.
Labour leader Coun Barnes, who had hailed the local elections as ‘a victory’ despite a net loss of one seat, said: “As the largest group we expect to maintain the leadership as we have the casting vote at meetings given that the current Mayor is a Labour mayor and the new one will be too.
“So even if Community First vote with the Tories and they haven’t done previously, we still have the numbers. That said, we are always happy to talk to smaller groups and happy to work with people more generally.
“We are a very small district council at the end of the day, and the people who elect us would expect us to make every effort to work together outside of election periods.”
In response, Coun Pendlebury’s deputy Coun David Foxcroft said: “Whilst the numbers are split equally down the middle now we expect that a Labour-led administration will take control of the council. However, that doesn’t mean that it should be viewed as ‘business as usual’.
“If Labour want to show that they are listening to the message of residents in Rossendale then they must change.
“Every vote will count and we will absolutely hold the administration to account.”
Neil Shaw, the chief executive of the council, said: “With no one party having a majority we have been discussing with the leaders from each party the implications over recent days.
“Initially it appears there will be little change to the way the council is run. At this time, I do not anticipate any change in the leadership of the council.”