By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Broxtowe Borough Council has appointed a new leader after the Labour party won victory following the local elections.
The Labour group gained 26 seats out of a possible 44 in the May 4 election, compared to the 14 seats it held after 2019.
At the authority’s meeting on May 17, Cllr Milan Radulovic was chosen as leader, while Cllr Greg Marshall will be his deputy.
Cllr Marshall, who represents Beeston West, recently announced that he had missed out on the shortlist to become the area’s next MP. The Broxtowe Labour Committee accused the national party of blocking their choice of a local candidate.
A new group has also been formed on the council, the Independent and Liberal Democrat Group. Cllr Steve Carr is the group leader.
Cllr Marshall said: “Milan has led the Labour group with distinction, integrity and a vision.
“As we look around there are many new members in the chamber tonight, and there are many members who have experienced the challenges we have faced over the last four years through the spectre of Covid.
“It was very tough and intense. But the way Milan led the authority has been exemplary.”
Cllr Philip Owen (Con) is the new leader of the Conservative Group.
He paid tribute to his predecessor Richard Jackson, who was a Conservative group leader for 16 years but lost his seat after he won the same number of votes as Cllr Halimah Khaled on election results day.
Ruth Hyde, Chief Executive at Broxtowe Borough Council, drew Halimah Khaled’s name out of a hat in a tense moment at the election count.
Cllr Owen said: “Richard Jackson has done an outstanding job.
“There is a saying that all political careers end in tears, I wouldn’t call it a failure but it is just the swing and the national circumstances.
“He will be back, I am sure. As far as I am concerned, the sooner the better.”
Cllr Owen added: “It would be churlish of me not to congratulate Cllr Radulovic on his appointment as leader of this council.
“That’s the way the cookie crumbles in politics, we took a thumping, it will go full circle eventually and the roles will be reversed.
“I can guarantee we will hold you and your massive group to account, which is the role of the opposition.”
Labour Cllr Teresa Cullen was also elected as the council’s new mayor.
Cllr Cullen said: “I want to thank the people of Toton and Chilwell Meadows for giving me this unexpected opportunity,
“It is traditional for a mayor to choose a charity, but I am involved in lots of different charities.
“I intend to establish a charitable endowment fund called the Broxtowe Community Fund and I am going to invite everybody in Broxtowe to contribute towards that.
“At the end of the year, any organisation in Broxtowe that does work to improve the lives of other people will be able to apply for a share of this money.”
Cllr Sue Paterson (Lab) will be the deputy mayor.
