A political crisis is today engulfing East Cambridgeshire District Council after the formation of an alliance between 13 Liberal Democrat councillors and one independent. It means the Conservative controlled council – with 14 members – will be forced to rely on the casting vote of the chair of every committee to force through their agenda.
Lib Dem leader Cllr Lorna Dupre and the former Conservative, now independent, councillor James Lay barnstormed the council’s chief executive John Hill to inform him of the new group.
It will mean council legal experts being required to apportion political balance to all committees – the chairs of which were decided at annual meetings of each earlier this year.
Changes to political make-up of the council
A spokesperson for East Cambridgeshire council said: “As of today (Tuesday 19 November 2024) the political make-up of East Cambridgeshire District Council has changed.
“It follows the formation of a new political group to be known as the Liberal Democrat and Independent Group.”
The formation of the new group means the political make-up of the council has changed as follows:
Conservative Group: 14 members
Liberal Democrat and Independent Group: 14 members
What this means for the council
By law, councillor representation on committees must proportionately represent the political make-up of the council. Where there is equality of votes at council or committees, the casting vote is made by the chair.
“The implication of these changes will be considered at an Extraordinary Council Meeting,” said the council spokesperson.
“ We will provide an update once the date of this meeting has been confirmed.”
Cllr Lay quit the Tories over growing disquiet with the leadership of Cllr Anna Bailey and her plans for a council owned crematorium at Mepal, is poised to play an important role in the council going forward.
Cllr Lay said: “I was elected in 2023 as a Conservative councillor to represent Woodditton on East Cambridgeshire District Council.
“I believe the residents of Woodditton deserve an explanation of my reasons for leaving the Conservatives and joining a new Liberal Democrats and Independent Group on the council as an Independent councillor.”
He said: “Under the Conservatives, too many decisions have been made behind closed doors without debate in council.
“The full council meets only five times a year, to restrict and control debate. By contrast, neighbouring South Cambridgeshire, West Suffolk, Fenland, Babergh, and Huntingdonshire meet eight times a year.
“Conservatives on East Cambridgeshire are told what to think, and theirs is not a happy ship. Major decisions in the next six months may bring matters to a head and we may see further changes in the Conservative group then.”
Cllr Lay added: “Leaving the Conservative Group has not been an easy decision for me.
“But I hope our new group will bring more democracy and debate to East Cambridgeshire District Council, for the benefit of all who live in our district.”
Uncertain future at East Cambridgeshire District Council. From left: Tory leader Cllr Anna Bailey, Independent James Lay and Lib Dem leader, and new Lib Dem/independent group leader Lorna Dupre“The formation of a new Liberal Democrat and Independent Group on East Cambridgeshire District Council has set the political balance on the 28-strong council on a knife edge,” said Cllr Dupre.
“The new group has fourteen members—thirteen Liberal Democrats plus one independent (James Lay, Woodditton).
“So does the ruling Conservative group, which is now expected to cling onto control of the council and its committees by the casting vote of the chair at every meeting.”
Gloomy financial outlook for ‘jewel in the crown’ council owned crematorium
Cllr Dupre, who will lead the new group, said: “This new group will work together in the best interests of the residents of East Cambridgeshire.
“Its formation will now force the council to review the size of council committees and the number of members on them.
“For too long the Conservative group on the council has forced through its agenda by clinging on to a majority which is not justified by either the number of seats or the number of votes it has.”
Cllr Christine Whelan has been elected as the group’s deputy leader.
The new group has submitted a requisition to the chair of the council, Cllr Mark Goldsack, calling for an Extraordinary General Meeting of the council to agree sizes and membership of committees.
“By law these must be proportional to the balance of the membership of the council as a whole.”
Councillor quits Tories leaving balance of power finely poised at East Cambs Council
As reported by CambsNews the writing was on the wall for a shift in political power at the council after we reported, in August, of the defection of Cllr Lay.
Conservatives retained administration of the council last year with 15 seats won at the district elections on May 4. The Liberal Democrats won 13 seats.
This was the result from Woodditton in May 2023.
Woodditton (2 seats)
Helen Claire Barker – Lib Dem 404
Sarah Fraser – Lab 283
Richard Alexander Downing Fullerton – UKIP 85
Jaqueline Lacey-Eresh – Lab 225
James Lay – Con 842 ELECTED
Lindsey Anne Moss-Eccardt – Lib Dem 329
Alan Gordon Sharp* – Con 918 ELECTED
Turnout: 32.6%
Until last year Cllr Lay had been a member of Newmarket Town Council and also represented the town on West Suffolk Council.
At one point he criticised the district council over its budget proposals and also attacked what he believed was a lack of investment in Newmarket.
