All change at South Kesteven District Council as Conservatives lose control
A dramatic change in the make-up of the district council could see the Conservatives trying to work with Independents as no group has been left with overall control.
The make-up of South Kesteven District Council is very different following the shock removal of both the leader and deputy leader at the local elections last week.
SKDC leader Kelham Cooke and his deputy Adam Stokes were ousted as the Conservatives lost 16 seats, leaving them with 24. The Independents increased their seats by 11 to 22 and the Greens won four seats, their first on the council. The Liberal Democrats won four seats and labour two seats.
The result means the Conservative Group will have to try and work with Independents to form a ruling coalition if it is to have any kind of control in the chamber.
Last night The Conservative group elected a new leader. Grantham councillor Graham Jeal was chosen with Richard Dixon-Warren as his deputy.
Philip Sagar, vice president of the Grantham and Stamford Conservative Association and chairman of the Stamford Welland branch, said he was “very disappointed” with the result.
Mr Sagar said: “It’s a great shame that national politics has been reflected in local politics and that good councillors who have the ability to make change for good have lost their seats.
“The result still leaves the Conservative group as the largest single group without an overall majority. As a local rate payer myself, I hope common sense prevails and an arrangement can be agreed with the Independents, that is some of the true Independents.”
Tim Harrison, the owner of Autocabs taxi firm in Grantham and newly-elected Independent councillor says he wants to “rebuild public and small business confidence” in the way the district is run.
Councillor Harrison, who now represents St Wulfram’s ward, says people have been let down by their councillors in the past.
He said he had spoken to a number of people “who had also been terribly let down by their representatives and we worked together to challenge our council in a fair election.”
Coun Harrison added: “Having spoken to a few of the Conservative members it became apparent they realise there had been a massive groundswell of opposition to their local district policies.
“The results show that the majority of Grantham voters supported our position. I personally had an issue of how the council adopted rulings against government best practice guidelines which destroyed drivers’ incomes. I am nothing if not fiercely defensive of my employees but I could not get the council to respond.
“So to represent small businesses and local employees I decided to stand. We are working for a collaborative outcome with all councillors to rebuild public and small business confidence in the governance of our district.”
Coun Cooke, who remains a county councillor and led SKDC for the last four years, said he was sad to lose his seat in the Casewick ward.
He said: “It has been an amazing 12 years. To be a councillor for where I grew up is an enormous privilege, especially the last four years as leader of the council working alongside many of my colleagues who have been there on the best days and supported me through the tough ones.”
Coun Cooke had the lowest number of votes in his ward with 688.
Coun Stokes, the former deputy leader of South Kesteven District Council says he is “gutted” and “heartbroken” after losing his seat at the local elections.
Adam Stokes lost his seat for the Grantham Springfield ward which he represented for 12 years.
Councillor Stokes, who still represents Grantham South on Lincolnshire County Council, said he was “gutted, disappointed and absolutely heartbroken”.
Coun Stokes added: “I have been councillor for the ward for 12 years and I have lived there for many, many years.”
He said there had been a backlash against the Conservative government which was reflected in the results locally. “And unfortunately I was one of the victims of that,” he said.
“I am heartbroken we got to this point but that’s the way things fall and I will just have to pick myself up.”
On Twitter Coun Stokes thanked those who voted for him. He said: “ I congratulate both Rob (Shorrock) and Nikki (Manterfield) on their success. It has been a huge honour to have been your district councillor for 12 years.”
Councillor Patsy Ellis became Lincolnshire’s first ever Green councillor, taking one of the three seats in the ward of Grantham St. Vincent’s. Coun Ellis was elected with the most votes out of the field of ten candidates, with current Mayor of Grantham, Graham Jeal (Con), and Independent Charmaine Morgan also elected.
Coun Ellis said: ““This is an historic day for the Green Party in this region. I also think it’s a great day for the people of South Kesteven to see such change across the council.”
Councillor Dr Vanessa Smith was elected as a Councillor for the Casewick ward with an overwhelming majority which saw leader Kelham Cooke lose his seat.
Dr Smith said: “There has been certain disatisfaction with the leadership, paricularly with regards to the Deepings Leisure Centre. I realise it is an enormous amount of work ahead, but I will endeavour to work my hardest for those who voted for me to whom I’m extremely grateful.”
Married couple Emma Baker and Rhys Baker took two seats for the Greens in the ward of Bourne Austerby.
A leader and cabinet will be elected to form the ruling administration, either from the largest party governing alone, with fewer than 29 seats, or in coalition.
The leader of the council will be elected by the Full Council on May 18.
