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.
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.