The District Council website now has this chart showing the seats each party has:
So there are now 6 groups plus a lone Labour councillor. (Legally, you can’t be in a group of one).
It’s going to be an interesting back row in the council chamber with 6 opposition parties sitting there! The first meeting of the new civic year is Annual Council on June 3rd.
MMMM – even if the smaller elements voted the same it is still 2:1 in favour of the Whip , however it is interesting that unlike surrounding Districts there was no earthquake in RDC.
Presumably something to do with demographics of this area – a lot of hard core blue rinse perhaps?.
Chris that next meeting – anything meaty on the agenda ( Saturday parking / Infrastructure……)? – thanks – JIM.
Jim, it is more simple than that. UKIP couldn’t get enough candidates. Where they stood they did very well, they came close to at least one more and they only stood about 8 candidates. Combine this with the fact some seats didn’t have elections this year and then you realise that the earthquake could have happened here as well.
Jim: the annual council meeting is mainly procedural, nothing too exciting to come for.
Rob – UKIP were very clever in not putting up candidates where there was a strongly supported non Conservative member. i.e Downhall / Hullbridge Their strongest candidates could then have financial and ground worker back up. Results would indicate the strategy worked.