FROME, Wells, Shepton, Glastonbury, Street and villages and rural communities up and down Mendip were engulfed by an orange political surge as the results came in from the May 2nd local elections.
The new 22-strong Liberal Democrat group now dwarfs all others, with more councillors than all other political party groups added together on Mendip District Council. As it held its first full council meeting, Mendip District Council looked radically different from the previous council, with an even number of Conservatives and Greens, as well as almost half as many again Independents.
Over a third of the council is made up of female councillors with four of those taking on the roles of Leader, Deputy Leader, Chair and Deputy Chair
Newly-appointed council leader, Ros Wyke, has pledged to bring in what she called “A new style of council; more open, more collaborative and more in touch – reflecting the way we all live in and around the district today.
Cllr Wyke said, “I am proud to lead a group of people who are younger, more diverse, and – I’m proud to say – more gender-balanced than ever before. That’s not a comment about identity politics – it’s a clear point, and it’s my strongly held belief that when we bring people with different views and life experiences together to make decisions, we achieve better results for the people we are here to represent.”
Demonstrating the Liberal Democrats’ openness to working across the political parties, at the full council meeting, two Independents, cllr Helen Sprawson-White (Frome Oakfield) and cllr Bente Height (Shepton East) were put forward and elected as chair and deputy chair of the council.
The group reports, “The clear focus for Mendip District Council is the pressing question of how our biggest and most concerning challenge is dealt with; the climate emergency. The Liberal Democrats know how important the environment is to the people of Somerset and will work single-mindedly to make sure the climate emergency, declared earlier this year, becomes more than simply a motion adopted in a council meeting.”
“The Liberal Democrats will work closely with all colleagues, especially those from the Green Party, to make sure that this council puts our environment, and the future of our children and grandchildren futures, at the very heart of its decision-making.”
In her opening speech as Leader of Mendip District Council, cllr Ros Wyke said,“The opportunity to address this council, this new council, as leader of the largest group and leader of Mendip is a great privilege and responsibility.” In her closing comments cllr Wyke mentioned all the those that the council is there to serve, from the shopkeepers and market traders in England’s smallest city – Wells, the market towns of Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet and the village of Street, to the farmers and residents of the many rural communities.
Cllr Wyke said, “We councillors are all amazingly proud to represent this beautiful part of our ancient county of Somerset. As we move forward, approaching our work for Mendip, we should try to forget what divides us politically, and remember the people who put us here. We’re public servants to the citizens of Mendip, and it’s in that spirit that our work begins tonight.”
Following her election by council as Chair, cllr Helen Sprawson-White, set out her plans to focus on health and education during her time as Chair. Cllr Sprawson-White said, “As Chair I believe it is important that we send a clear message to our communities that we are an authority that is approachable, transparent and inclusive. I want all residents, members and officers to feel a real sense of pride and belonging to Mendip, working together to deliver effective outcomes and I will do all I can to break down any barriers that are in place to make this happen.”
For more information about Mendip District Council’s councillors, committees and boards and for a full list of public meetings, please visit www.mendip.gov.uk or contact Mendip District Council’s customer services on 0300 303 8588.
Above: Lib Dem councillors
