It's business as usual at Rutland County Council today after a motion to remove the leader from office last night was defeated.
It was brought by the Conservative group who attracted only one more vote from an independent councillor in favour of the move. 14 out of 24 councillors present voted against it. Many made speeches, most focusing on local government reorganisation. Leader of the Opposition Councillor Lucy Stephenson was pleased to see debate in the chamber.
‘It was actually a case of highlighting what an awful lot of residents have said, has spoken to us that they feel that they haven't been communicated with or consulted with properly on a significant decision that will impact their everyday delivery of services and of course council tax. The aim of this debate, and I think that's been very well achieved this evening, was that we should discuss that and to hold the leader to account. No, I wasn't expecting to win, but I think it is really, really important that if you have felt a groundswell of people saying actually we're not happy with how things are being done, it's important to use the Constitution and our democratic right to highlight those issues to the leader. And in the spirit of fairness, clearly there are some people who think that the leader is doing a really, really good job. That's OK. They're all valid opinions but so was ours this evening’.
Leader of Rutland County Council Councillor Gale Waller says despite having survived a vote of no confidence, she will try harder to engage more of the chamber and the public.
‘But I feel very sad that despite what I said, they would continue to be statements about what I have done and haven't done. I think it would be quite helpful if some people just took a step back and saw what we were facing and tried constructively to say how we might face it differently perhaps. But equally I did hear from people saying about communication and clearly that's an area that we need to work on and improve’.
South Kesteven District Council is holding two workshops next month, including one in Stamford, which will help shape the council's view on Artificial Intelligence.
Ten personnel from RAF Wittering are taking part in a test of endurance and stamina this morning to raise money for CALM, a leading suicide prevention charity.
Restrictions continue at Rutland's tips at Cottesmore and North Luffenham as they're unable to take household waste until further notice, and now any upholstered furniture.
Fire and Rescue services that cover the Rutland and Stamford area are continuing to urge locals to look after the countryside and not use any sources of ignition.
Well over 13,000 visitors are expected at the Rutland Showground over the next three days for the second annual Rutland Flower Show, which promises to build even further on last year's successful first event.
The leader of Rutland County Council's Conservative opposition got cross-party support last night for her motions to ask the council to quiz the government on why they decided to join Rutland with all the Leicestershire districts in local government reorganisation and to seek a written assurance of Rutland ceremonial county status.
Police arrest two teenagers over assault in Oakham
Weekend sports round up
