Oliver Hemsley, Leader at Rutland County Council, announced on Thursday that he is resigning from the Conservative Group, but will remain as Leader of the Council, serving as a non-aligned independent councillor. Cllr Helmsley said that Council’s constitution does not require the Council Leader to be from any particular group and that he intends to complete his current four-year term in office.
Cllr Hemsley said that he hopes, by having no allegiance to any party, that he can further challenge the Government settlement which makes the Rutland Council Tax one of the highest in the country, despite the low cost way the Council operates. He added that if the Council needs to raise even more money from its residents, Rutland runs the risk of becoming an exclusive ageing population with no thought for its younger and most important residents.
Two other cabinet members, Cllrs Samantha Harvey and Ian Razzell, have also left the Conservative Group to serve as independents. Three more councillors left the Conservative Group last month to form Together4Rutland. Conservative representation on the Council is now down to six, out of a total of 27 members.
We're holding a drop-in session for local people who are interested in learning more about volunteering opportunities with the community radio station serving Rutland, Stamford and the surrounding area. The drop-in event is being held in the theatre lounge at Stamford Corn Exchange from 5pm to 8pm on Wednesday 24 April.
The two campaign groups against the proposed development on the north side of Stamford are joining forces for what they say is one final push for people to comment. Neither Stamford North nor Quarry Farm have been approved for planning yet. The South Kesteven District Local Plan is also out for consultation following some revisions.