Councilbust

By Rachel Charman

Leader of the Conservative group Cllr Nigel Holdcroft has responded to claims by Southend West Labour PPC Tom Flynn that the Conservatives will “lose control” in the town.

Mr Flynn claimed earlier today that the resignation of Cllr Jason Luty from the Conservatives to run as an Independent councillor at the next election leaves the Conservatives in a weakened position.

Cllr Holdcroft refutes this view. He told Councilbust.com:

“As a result of the tragic death of Ann Robertson, and Cllr Luty’s resignation from the party, the current balance is 25 conservatives, 24 members of the other 3 groups and Cllr Luty being the only ‘independent’ independent.

“This will have no effect on proportionality before the elections in May so the balance on scrutiny committees etc will not change and Cllr Luty has indicated that he will continue to support the policies of the Administration.

“This is no surprise in that he has not left because of any rift with us or disagreement on policy, but simply due to his desire to fight the Independent Party in Westborough where he lives.

“On 17th May seats will be up for election as usual and clearly control of the council will depend on the outcome.

“This is no different from the situation in any of our regular election years where there is the potential of a swing of up to 17 seats.

“Based on the progress which the town has made over recent years, and bearing in mind the need for clear and capable leadership over the next few years when we will face reducing public funding irrelevant of the colour of the next government, I am confident that the Conservatives will emerge from the elections with an increased overall majority.

“If we do not then the town will face the uncertainty of no overall control.

“With our range of opposition parties this means that residents can have no indication as to which parties will be in control or the policies which they will seek to pursue.”