Liberal Democrats take leadership of North Somerset Council

10.09.22am GMT Wed 23rd Mar 2005

Liberal Democrat Alan Hockridge was elected Leader of North Somerset Council at the full council meeting yesterday evening 22nd March. The change was prompted by the election of Cllr Mike Johnston in the recent Portishead by-election, which made the Liberal Democrats the largest group.

The Liberal Democrats have agreed to continue working with the Conservatives in a shared arrangement, although all positions are up for re-election at the Annual Meeting in May.

"I am very keen to work with all parties on North Somerset Council,"said Cllr Alan Hockridge, "The working arrangement of a shared Executive has generally worked well over the past two years. In the interests of the people of North Somerset we have co-operated with each other."

"On many occasions, there is cross party agreement as far as council issues are concerned, with all the political parties, including the Labour members," said Cllr Hockridge," But where there is disagreement it is often best to bring items to Full Council where every councillor can take part in the debate."

"The Council's Executive is not one single party - it is two parties working together for the the local good. We have to step aside from the national political arguments which will undoubtedly take place as we approach a General Election. The difference now is that North Somerset has a Liberal Democrat Leader."