24/05/05 - All Change At Swindon Council

Ready for the new financial year at Swindon Council there have been numerous changes amongst the three political parties.

Conservative

Councillor Mike Bawden (Old Town & Lawn) was re-elected as the Leader of the Conservative Group, and as the largest group, the Leader of Swindon Borough Council.

Councillor Roderick Bluh (Dorcan) was elected as the new Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, and as the largest group, the Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council.

The Conservative Group will confirm the new Cabinet roles on June 9th, with one change to the membership of the Cabinet with Councillor Roderick Bluh replaced Councillor Brian Ford (Wroughton & Chiseldon).

Abbey Meads Conservative Councillors:

Councillor Justin Tomlinson, Abbey Meads will remain in the Cabinet.
Councillor Peter Stoddart, has now completed his year as Mayor.
Councillor Owen Lister is the new Deputy Mayor, and will be Mayor in 06/07.

Labour

Councillor Kevin Small (Western) will replace Councillor David Nash (Central) as the Labour Group Leader, and as the largest opposition group, the Leader of the Opposition on Swindon Borough Council.  Cllr Kevin Small has lead the Labour Group before, with his time noted for rocketing Council Tax, which saw support for the Labour Group collapse, and an end of 25 years of waste and mismanagement by Labour.

Councillor Barrie Thompson (Park South) will remain as the Labour Deputy Group Leader, and the largest opposition group.  Councillor Barrie Thompson is very proud of his Communist roots and we are very proud he is not Deputy Leader of the Council!

The new years has already seen the Labour Group hit a new low:

Councillor David Wren (Dorcan) has now resigned from the Labour Group.

Councillor Sinead Darker (Dorcan) has now resigned from the Labour Group.

Both are currently Independent Councillors.

Labour are now down to only 18 Councillors (out of 59), there lowest number for over 25 years.

The Council is rife with rumours that others may follow.

Lib Dems

Councillor Wendy Johnson (Old Town & Lawn) has replaced Councillor Chris Shephard (Freshbrook & Grange Park).  Councillor Chris Shephard had a nightmare year with Councillor Michael Dickenson (Central) crossing the floor to the Conservatives, 'as the only party who understood finance, and would help end rocketing Council Tax', and Councillor Geraldine Frost (Freshbrook & Grange Park) resigning and becoming an Independent Councillor.

Councillor Stan Pajak (Eastcott) will replace Councillor Wendy Johnson as the Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem group.