South Kesteven District Council leader survives motion of no confidence
It's after after people’s council tax was taken from their bank accounts five days early
A council leader has survived a motion of no confidence brought after people’s council tax was taken from their bank accounts five days early.
Ashley Baxter (Ind – Market and West Deeping) faced the motion at a meeting of South Kesteven District Council this afternoon (Thursday, September 24).
It was brought by the council’s Conservative group leader Sarah Trotter (Lincrest), who said the council tax mistake was among the reasons he should be removed from leadership.
In July, Coun Baxter was kicked out of a Local Government Association conference after he heard part of a Reform UK councillors’ session.
He later apologised and said he did not realise it was a private meeting. But the Conservatives described it ‘a failure of judgement’ that brings the council into disrepute.
In a heated debate in the council chamber, Coun Baxter was criticised for failing to communicate properly with residents when council tax payments were mistakenly taken from some people’s bank accounts too early in late July.
He was also accused of willingly acting without support from the chamber, in particular when he wrote to the secretary of state about local government reorganisation on behalf of the council without consulting other members.
Twenty-two councillors voted in support of the motion to remove him but 27 voted against.
Coun Baxer was appointed leader of South Kesteven District Council in January 2024, taking over from fellow Independent Richard Cleaver (Stamford St John’s).