On 22nd April, Cllrs Gordon Brown (Ketton), June Fox (Exton) and Nick Begy (Greetham) resigned from the Rutland County Council Conservative Group. They will continue as County Councillors and will form the new Together4Rutland Group on the council, to focus on supporting the residents in their wards and across Rutland.
The three councillors said that they have become increasingly concerned with the direction of travel of the Conservative Group locally, also saying that they cannot support the national Conservative Party on moral grounds. They went on to say that a lack of Government funding is putting Rutland County Council in a serious financial position.
The new group is also being joined by Cllr Paul Ainsley (Oakham North-West) who left the Conservative group on Rutland County Council shortly after the Housing Improvement Fund vote last year.
Following the resignation of the three councillors, the Conservatives continue to be the largest group on Rutland County Council, but now with only 9 out of 26 councillors. In addition, there is one vacancy for the Uppingham ward, due to be filled by the winner of a by-election to be held on 5 May.
The new group have set up a website: http://together4rutland.org/

London Marathon likely to raise £200,000 for the Matt Hampson Foundation
Businesses to learn about Google
Local men sentenced to drug offences
Celebration for the Stars of Stamford
Appeal for witnesses to collision
Support for forces' families with Purple Up day
Village events this weekend
Issues just before cycle race but it was a huge success
Weekend sports round up
Services showcasing in Oakham
Award given to local CCTV Control Room
International CiCLE Classic takes place this weekend