By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
A councillor responsible for fighting climate change claims he has lost his cabinet role for “pushing too hard” on some green issues.
Councillor Keith Melton (Lib Dem) has been removed during a reshuffle at Newark and Sherwood Council.
The council was previously run by a coalition of Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors as no party had overall control.
Liberal Democrats will no longer be part of the coalition, while one of the Independent portfolio holders has joined the Green party.
The post of cabinet member for climate change and net zero will be removed, and the responsibilities will be absorbed by all cabinet members.
However Cllr Melton, the deputy Liberal Democrat group leader, claimed the change was due to him being too outspoken about climate change issues.
Council-owned company Arkwood Homes has proposed 151 homes for a wildlife-rich area on Lowfield Lane in Balderton, but Cllr Melton says he argued for plans to be reduced to a third of that number.
In a statement on social media, he said: “I tried very hard to change the process from within the Cabinet but in my determination to create that change, I have clearly stepped on some sensitive toes and I have paid a price for pushing too hard.
“It strikes me, however, that the labour Leader’s reaction has been both heavy-handed and ill-considered.”
Leader Councillor Paul Peacock (Lab) said in a statement: “The importance of climate change is such that it is now something we believe runs through everything we do as a Council and is now a central consideration to every Portfolio. This means that Councillor Keith Melton will be stepping away from Cabinet.
“I would like to thank him for his excellent work on this which has really made a difference to how the Council and our district have taken the climate change challenges onboard and made real progress.”
He says the reduction in portfolio holders will reduce costs and better serve residents.
Councillor Emma Oldham has moved from Independent to Greens, and will keep her role as Portfolio Holder for Biodiversity and Environmental Services.
Councillor Matthew Spoors has also recently switched from Labour to Green.
Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Peter Harris said: “We have been pleased to work with the other groups over the last year and are proud of the achievements and progress we have made together in addressing climate change here and to improve the lives of our residents.
“We hope to continue to work with the administration in the future.”
