10.05.17
Conservative-led coalition to run Nottinghamshire CC
Following last week’s county council elections, the Conservative Party and Mansfield Independent Forum have entered into a coalition to run Nottinghamshire CC.
After the votes were cast, the Conservatives won 31 of the 66 seats on the council, making them the largest party. However, it was short of the 34 seats required for a majority, so the council remained in no overall control.
However, Mansfield Independent Forum won four seats and official notification has now been submitted to the local authority’s CEO that the two plan to form a new majority group, the Conservative and Mansfield Independent Forum Group.
Cllr Kay Cutts, leader of the new Conservative and Mansfield Independent Group, said: “We believe the best interests of the county council and the residents of Nottinghamshire will be served by forming a majority group to provide the strong and stable leadership our county needs.
“We very much look forward to working in partnership with the Mansfield Independent Forum and alongside colleagues from all political groups for the good of Nottinghamshire.”
She added that it was a “tremendous honour” to be leader of Nottinghamshire CC again, and was “excited about the challenge that lies ahead”.
Cllr Steve Garner, lead member for the Mansfield Independent Forum, said that while the Forum’s members remain “completely committed to the principles of independence and will be free from a party whip”, the formation of a majority group is vital for the local authority to operate in an effective and efficient way.
“We see our role as bringing new ideas and acting as a critical friend to the wider group, which is especially important at a time when the Council is operating with limited funds and needs to maximise its resources,” he argued.
The first meeting of the new county council, the Annual Meeting, will take place on 25 May 2017.
(Image: c. John Jennings)
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