A POLITICAL alliance of councillors united in their opposition to Labour is set to seize power from the defunct administration at Durham County Council, the Northern Echo can exclusively reveal.
Traditional party rivals and independent councillors have formed an unlikely pact and are poised to take control of the authority after the majority group suffered heavy losses in bruising local elections recently.
It would be the first time in a century Labour has not been in charge in County Durham and the unexpected move signifies further political upheaval in the North-East and a deepening crisis for the party locally and nationally.
Leading councillors are due to speak with John Hewitt, the authority’s chief executive, today about their plan, ahead of the annual general meeting on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the alliance said: “People in County Durham from across the political spectrum voted for a new approach, and that is what we intend to deliver.
“The alliance will be making final plans on Monday, ahead of Durham County Council’s annual meeting on Wednesday.
“Our discussions are underpinned by a refreshing attitude of positive, constructive cooperation and we are excited about the potential of what we can achieve together.
“As soon as we are ready to share more details, we will issue a full statement.”
There are 126 councillors on Durham County Council, including 53 Labour, 24 Conservatives, 17 Liberal Democrats, one non-political member and 31 independents from three groups: Durham County Council Independent Group, Spennymoor Independents and the Durham Group.
The idea would have to be put to the vote, and, if it is passed, power will be transferred to the new group.
It is understood most of the 73 non-Labour members have indicated support for the move.
Cllr John Shuttleworth
Cllr John Shuttleworth, leader of Durham County Council Independent Group, who represents Weardale, said: “Everything that Labour has done has gone against the wishes of the people.
“People have voted for a change and that is what is going to happen whether they like it or not.”
Labour lost its majority in recent elections after which long serving leader Cllr Simon Henig, who represents Chester-le-Street, stood down as leader of the County Durham Labour group.
He has been replaced by Carl Marshall, from Stanley, who has served as a councillor for 17 years, and hopes to form his own administration at the council.
Cllr Carl Marshall
Councillor Alan Shield, leader of the Durham Group, said: “We have an alternative plan for an administration that we are ratifying.
“It is our intention to put forward a partnership administration between the alternative groups.
“If all members vote with the partnership, I can’t see how Labour can retain power.”
Cllr Shield said the new administration would be best described as a ‘working partnership’ or a ‘cooperative’, but not a ‘coalition’ due to the association with the Tory-Liberal Cameron-Clegg Government of 2010.
He said there were audible ‘gasps’ at the mention of the word when the issue was raised during talks between members.
He added: “The proposal will be that it will be a shared partnership with a rotational leadership.
“If it is ratified the appropriate names of the leader and deputy leader will be made known then.
“In 102 years the council has always been Labour-led.
“There has never been anything other than a Labour chair of council.
“We intend to nominate an alternative chair, an alternative administration and a non-Labour leader.
Cllr Alan Shield
“The consequences of this option, if it goes ahead, are seismic.
“It shows people are fed up with what they have had in the past.
“They want to see change. The recent elections have promoted that change, and that change could actually be implemented.
“We are following the will of the people.”
A new administration could mean that controversial council decisions in recent years could be reviewed, such as the closure of the DLI Museum and the moving of council offices from County Hall to Durham city centre.
The closure of the DLI Museum was not popular with the public
Plans for a new £50 million council headquarters have proved controversial
Cllr Shield, who represents Leadgate and Medomsley, said: “We will be looking at number of issues, certainly the DLI, and the disproportionate investment plans across the county.
“We would endeavour to ensure that any planned investment was distributed in a fairly and equitably across County Durham, and not as it has been by the current administration.
“I have not been in the DLI museum since it was closed but I have heard it is in pretty good condition.
“If this is part of the will of the people it would be totally wrong of us not to give it due consideration and to consideration.
“All of this will be up for review.
“We will listen to what the people say.
“We can’t always deliver what they say but we will be listening.”
The Northern Echo has contacted Carl Marshall, leader of the county’s Labour group, for comment.
The council’s annual general meeting is being held on Wednesday at Spennymoor Leisure Centre.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel