Council leader quits party saying county is ‘ignored’
FORMER TORY COUNCILLOR GOES INDEPENDENT
THE leader of Rutland County Council has stood down from the Conservative Party, saying “protecting and enhancing” the county needs to be the authority’s focus.
Councillor Oliver Hemsley announced on Friday he would be leaving the Conservative Group, but will maintain his position as leader of the council, as an independent member.
The timing of his announcement fell as much of the country went to the polls in local elections, although not in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. And PM Boris Johnson has admitted his party endured a “tough night” on May 5, after suffering a string of losses.
Coun Hemsley said the county has been “ignored” and “side-lined” by central government over funding inequalities, leading to the necessity of raising council tax to meet costs.
He added that, by removing himself from the constraints of party allegiances, he hopes he will be able to get an answer to the question put to him by residents: “Why is our council tax so high?”
He said: “The position we find ourselves in over council tax has been years in the making.
“We’ve had inequalities that have been compounded year on year and even though government has been asked to look at this we have been ignored, side-lined and given no further improvements in our spending power.
“There are one-off fundings that appear and often are heralded as additional funding but are ring-fenced, repurposed, or borrowed from another budget.
“This is not nor can be a solution for the long term.
“Rutland has for many years been asking for fairer funding, we don’t want more than others, we just want it to be equitable, we need to be shown some respect.
“We have many issues in the county and I am impressed on the one hand on what we have achieved and on the other hand deeply saddened that we continue to ignore the inequalities and the people we serve.”
Coun Hemsley also said now is the time for local councillors to put aside party politics and work together for the benefit of the county.
He said: “I sincerely believe that at this time the political argument needs to be put to one side and we need to focus on Rutland and what our residents need from us and remember who we are here to serve.
“I encourage all councillors to reposition their political motivations as we all have strengths. “Stability is what is needed at this time and for all of us to work together to protect and enhance the county we all love and hold the responsibility to represent.” Rutland County Council has confirmed Coun Hemsley will not have to step down as leader.
The leader of the council is not required to belong to the majority or a main political party.
One vote that was held on Thursday was the local by-election for Rutland County Council’s Uppingham ward. Stephen Lambert, the Liberal Democrat candidate, was elected with 661 votes and will serve as a Rutland county councillor until the next round of normal council elections in 2023. Dave Ainslie, Independent, placed second with 327 votes, ahead of Tory Giles Clifton with 205 votes. Reform UK hopeful Phil Bourqui was voted for by 36 people.
The vacancy was created after Coun Miranda Jones (Green) resigned due to a move away from the area. Michael Fish had already been elected to her vacant seat on Uppingham Town Council.
We’ve had inequalities that have been compounded year on year. We have been ignored, side-lined
Coun Hemsley