Conservative-led council’s “days are numbered”

Leaders of a Kent local authority who has lost its overall control due to nine Conservative desertions have been told “its days are numbered”.

The Tory administration at Sevenoaks District Council (SDC), led by Cllr Roddy Hogarth, was plunged into turmoil on May 15 when seven of its councillors resigned the whip and formed a new group, the West Kent Independents (WKI). Two more members followed shortly after.

Last night, opposition groups either abstained or voted for Cllr Hogarth’s cabinet posts and key committee appointments to allow SDC to carry out its statutory functions.

The rebellion has left the Conservatives with 24 members, the Liberal Democrats 14, West Kent Independents nine, Green Party four, and three other independents. The Tories are six shy of a majority.

The rebellion was prompted because WKI members are unhappy with some of Cllr Hogarth’s choice of cabinet members.

Rumours abound more Conservatives will leave the ruling group, increasing the possibility of a new alliance taking over later this summer.

Leader of the Lib Dem group, Alan Leaman claimed it is an “abuse of power” to carry on without a working majority.

He added: “This council is on notice that its days are numbered.

“We have seen an implosion of the Conservative group. A breakaway group means that what is left is a minority administration that cannot provide stable, long-term policy development.”

Asked if the Lib Dems are talking to other council groups about forming an administration, Cllr Leaman added: “We are the biggest opposition group so we will have a central role in whatever emerges.

“We are open to taking to the various groups at the council who have the best interests of the residents at heart.”

Cllr Hogarth said: “The truth is that we are still the largest group and the way council’s constitution is written, the leader stays the leader until the leader’s group decides to nominate someone else.

“I am totally confident in the cabinet I’ve got and I am looking forward to using the talent I have got on there to take forward the agenda we have set, especially in the light of local government reorganisation, the local plan issues and so on.”

Cllr Hogarth said he has the “utmost respect” for the members of WKI as councillors.

Asked if his council’s days are numbered, Cllr Hogarth replied: “I don’t believe so. I have a great respect for Cllr Leaman – he has proven to be a very good leader of the Liberal Democrats.

“But as a permanent opposition group, they will never be the leading group on this council. You have to take his comments as merely comments.”

Asked about further possible defections from the Conservatives, WKI leader Cllr Julia Thornton said: “Some people have expressed an interest to talk to us – nobody else has made firm decisions at this stage.”

WKI voted for the committee appointments but abstained from a vote on the new cabinet proposed by Cllr Hogarth.

A statement from WKI said: “(We) are pleased that last night’s emergency SDC meeting resulted in proportional committee appointments for the newly formed group, and the re commencement of council business.

“We appreciate the hard work of all the officers since Thursday to enable this to happen so swiftly and efficiently, and the confidence shown in our group who are all committed to working constructively for the benefit of our residents.”

“WKI looks forward to ongoing, respectful dialogue with all sides at Council as we seek to move forward in a positive and cooperative way.”