District council to elect new leader after mass resignations

East Devon District Council will elect a new leader on Thursday, after Councillor Ben Ingham and his entire Cabinet stood down last week.

The mass resignation came after defections by eight members of the ruling Independent Group – seven to the Independent Progressive Group and one to the Democratic Alliance, a group formed of the East Devon Alliance, Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and now three Independents.

Councillor Ingham was elected leader of the council with the support of the Independent Group following the May 2019 elections, which saw the end of 45 years of Conservative majority leadership in East Devon.

Three broadly equal political groups were then tasked with forming an administration, accepted by the Independent Group under Cllr Ingham's leadership.

That administration has now stood down as they say the "balance has now changed".

The Independent East Devon Alliance, Liberal Democrats, Green Party and Independent Progressive Group have come together to form the Democratic Alliance, capable of delivering an overall majority of members in the council and gaining the right to form the administration.

An extraordinary meeting of the council will now be held on Thursday, May 28 to elect a new leader and a Cabinet will then be formed.

Cllr Ingham said: "Since being elected unanimously as Leader of East Devon District Council, with the support of the Independent Group I have done my very best to make our council as fit to serve our communities as possible.

"We created a superb four year council plan that our officers have committed to on such a scale that East Devon District Council received the platinum award for Investors in People, something only a very select number of other councils in the country have achieved. That tells me we were on track.

"Strategically we have planned for the long term interests of East Devon and our communities. So I am sorry to see us forced to stop so soon. I believe the vast majority of people in East Devon will approve of what we have planned and what we have achieved on their behalf.

"I thank all of our officers for their support and exemplary conduct during this COVID-19 pandemic. They are a credit to all of us who live in East Devon."

A statement from the Independent Group added: "Whilst the unique circumstances of an active COVID-19 pandemic are hardly an ideal time for a leadership change, we will ensure this change takes place in a manner which minimises any risk to service provision, disruption to our officer colleagues, local authority and private sector partners, East Devon residents and businesses, by taking a clear and decisive step without delay.

"Current Independent Group Cabinet portfolio holders and committee chairs have all personally committed to ensure their successors in the new Democratic Alliance administration receive a full and comprehensive handover of responsibilities.

"The Independent Group would like to thank all who have supported us during the last year and commit to maintaining a full and active part in the future of East Devon District Council."

After the news was announced, Conservative councillor for the Axminster ward, Ian Hall, said that some councillors were focussing on "personal agenda's for power instead of supporting the admin and officers" during the current pandemic.

"This is not the time and I hope that you can all still look at yourselves in the mirror at the end of the day!" he said.

Councillor Paul Arnott, leader of the Democratic Alliance, confirmed that the Democratic Alliance and the Independent Progressive Group had signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding for a coalition working forward until 2023.

He added: "We believe there is a secure core of 31 and with more support from the chamber elsewhere, we can at last deliver the majority administration which has been lacking since May 2019.

"While the pandemic crisis has begun, it is likely to run one way or another for at least a year, and this will give us a coherent leadership as we endure the rest of the crisis and make plans to come out of it, so we truly believe that this will be in the public interest."