News, Politics

Conservatives enter coalition with Mansfield Independents to form Notts County Council majority

The Conservative group and Mansfield Independent Forum have entered into a coalition to form the majority group at Nottinghamshire County Council.

The Conservatives won 31 of the 66 seats on the Council at last Thursday’s election (May 4), making them the largest group, but short of an overall majority. The Mansfield Independent Forum won four seats.

Wednesday’s announcement is a u-turn for the Conservatives, after their leader Kay Cutts initially said there would be no attempt to form a coalition by her group after the result.

Following the changes, the coalition holds 35 seats on the authority, one more than the 34 needed to form a controlling majority.

Councillor Cutts, now leader of the new Conservative and Mansfield Independent Group, said: “We believe the best interests of the County Council and the residents of Nottinghamshire will be served by forming a majority group to provide the strong and stable leadership our county needs.

“We very much look forward to working in partnership with the Mansfield Independent Forum and alongside colleagues from all political groups for the good of Nottinghamshire.

“It is a tremendous honour to be Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council again and I am very excited about the challenge that lies ahead, especially at such an historic time for our county and country.”

[callout]Notts County Council seats composition after coalition announcement

• Conservative & Mansfield Independent Forum – 35 seats
• Labour – 23 seats
• Ashfield Independents – 6 seats
• Liberal Democrat – 1 seat
• Independent – 1 seat [/callout]

Councillor Steve Garner, lead member for the Mansfield Independent Forum said: “Whilst Mansfield Independent Forum members remain completely committed to the principles of independence and will be free from a party whip, the formation of a majority group is vital for the Council to operate in an effective and efficient way, which is in the best interests of the communities we represent and the county as a whole.

“We see our role as bringing new ideas and acting as a critical friend to the wider group, which is especially important at a time when the Council is operating with limited funds and needs to maximise its resources.”

The first meeting of the new council will be its annual meeting on May 25, when a County Council Chairman, committee chairs and membership of committees will be decided.