Break-ins at sports clubs.

 

It could have been a Green led Council

There are 45 councillors on Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. The Conservatives previously held 19 seats and, with the support of the Residents’ Association councillors in Nork and Tattenham & Preston, were able to reach the 23 seats needed to form an administration.

However, two Conservative councillors have since become independents. In addition, a series of questionable decisions (as highlighted in the above video) has left the Conservatives without the numbers required to maintain control.

If the Conservatives can no longer command a majority, it could be argued that Green councillors have a responsibility to step up and form a new administration — potentially with support from the Liberal Democrats, Independent Labour, a few Residents’ Association members, and other independents.

A change in control is enacted through a Vote of No Confidence in the Council Leader. This is exactly what occurred last Thursday. Given the numbers, it was a necessary and justified step.

If the motion was passed, Cllr Jonathan Essex (Green Group leader) would have become leader and a coalition would have run the Council. I voted for the motion. My fellow Greens explain the reasons: 

Stuff

However, let's just say stuff happened! Possibly like the stuff above, and the vote didn't go our way.

Official Council press release is here: 
 https://www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/news/article/552/reigate_and_banstead_conservative_leadership_administration_remains_following_no_confidence_vote