Gloucester City Council leader faces vote of no confidence
The vote is due to take place next month
Gloucester City Council leader Jeremy Hilton could be deposed next month amid growing frustration from opposition members over his “autocratic” handling of local government reorganisation plans.
A vote of no confidence in the Liberal Democrat member for Kingsholm and Wotton has been submitted to be debated at the full council meeting on September 18.
The motion, put forward by Community Independent group leader Alastair Chambers (Matson, Robinswood and White City), claims democratic standards and processes within the authority have fallen short of the expectation of councillors and the public.
There are also concerns among the opposition ranks that a lack of transparency, accountability, and respect for due process has undermined trust in the current leadership.
And it is expected that the council be asked to debate and vote on the motion of no confidence in Cllr Hilton and call for his immediate resignation as leader next month.
The Lib Dem leader has pushed back dismissing the concerns saying his “door is always open to any member of the council”.
But Cllr Chambers said: “Jeremy’s leadership has become increasingly autocratic — refusing to hear from certain councillors, sidestepping the constitution whenever it suits his purposes, and disregarding the principles of fair debate.
“He seems to have forgotten that Labour, Conservative, and Independent councillors collectively acted as kingmakers, enabling him to take the leadership position in the first place.
“Following Jeremy’s stance on not allowing the Labour motion on Local Government Reform — a motion which was passed by Full Council — to not be discussed, his time as leader should come to an end.
“Jeremy has been given multiple opportunities to respect and enact the will of full council, yet he has chosen to ignore it. This undermines the very foundations of democracy and is, in effect, a direct dismissal of the authority of elected members.
“By advancing his own agenda and disregarding the constitution on which this council is governed, Jeremy has demonstrated that he is no longer fit to lead.
“The Liberal Democrats now have the opportunity to put forward a new leader who will respect the council’s democratic processes, honour the constitution, and restore integrity to our governance.”
Labour group leader Terry Pullen (Kingsholm and Wotton) said he is not surprised about the no confidence vote in the council leader – which could have been avoided.
“This is a very serious and difficult position given the many challenges facing our city which need undivided attention and action,” he said.
“The situation could have been avoided if Cllr Hilton was willing to work more closely and cooperatively with opposition councillors. He seems to have forgotten that he is running a minority council that is in no overall control.
“I don’t know the outcome of this situation but councillor Hilton seriously needs to think about the way he works, his relationship with other councillors and his style of leadership.
“As far as Labour Councillors are concerned, ultimately we want what is in the best interests of the people of Gloucester.”
And Conservative group leader Stephanie Chambers (Quedgeley Fieldcourt) said her and her colleagues have also been raising serious concerns about the current leadership of Gloucester City Council for some time now.
“Cllr Hilton just ploughs ahead with his own agenda regardless of the consequences for the residents and businesses of this city,” she ssaid.
“Taxpayers and councillors are being kept in the dark on major issues which will impact our city for generations to come.
“Our group is now saying enough is enough, we are spending a ridiculous amount of time arguing our case to have access to information that should be in the public domain.
“This is time we should be using to talk to residents and develop positive policies for this city such as the Forum, the University Campus and Greyfriars all flagship Conservative regeneration projects.”
Cllr Hilton says he is deeply saddened and frustrated by Cllr Alastair Chambers’ claims which he claims are untrue and hurtful.
He claims to be subjected to attempts to misrepresent or undermine “his good name” and not for the first time.
But he says what is more upsetting is that the Labour leader now seems to be in alliance with the Community Independent.
“August is the time of recess and is used by many members including me to take time off to relax and recharge the batteries,” he said.
“I do not need this nonsense from Cllr Chambers. I just wish he would consider others for once.
“Since being elected as leader of the council I have worked very hard for the city of Gloucester. It is a tough job but rewarding.
“My door is always open to any member of the council.
“In the last twelve months my administration has secured a new leisure provider to put GL1 on a stable footing, ensuring its reopening is sustainable and its future safeguarded for the long term.
“We have strengthened planning, delivered progress on major regeneration sites with continued momentum on The Forum and Debenhams, and secured new investment in the city centre.
“We have improved street cleansing and waste collection, passed the Gloucester Urban Greening Strategy, reintroduced verbal questions at full council meetings to enhance democratic engagement, and secured a fantastic leaseholder for the car boot sale, which has reopened to great success despite the attempted sabotage.
“There is much more to do to put the heart back into Gloucester and I intend to continue the job, with the solid backing of my group.”
And fellow Lib Dem Councillor Rebecca Trimnell (Westgate) said the motion is “unnecessary and simply cruel showing very much the nasty side of politics, which people despise”.
“Jeremy is Mr Gloucester and if anyone knows how this city ought and should work it is him,” she said.
During this current time of turmoil with local government reorganisation, I strongly believe it is him and only him that can get the best deal for this city.
“I cannot honestly see any of the other opposition leaders doing any better job. Moreover, in spite of the council being in no overall control we are the largest party and formed the administration in May 2024, we have and continue to do so much and ought for the good of this city finish the term in office for the residents to then decide which party ought to then lead”
The makeup of the City Council is 17 Lib Dems, 11 Tories, seven Labour councillors and four Community Independents.