'No deal' say leaders as Reform hit out over vote

THE Reform opposition group on Northumberland County Council has accused smaller parties of 'propping up' the Conservative-led administration at County Hall.

- JAMES ROBINSON

Councillors voted to re-elect Tory leader Glen Sanderson as the council boss last Wednesday. Members from the Independent Group, Liberal Democrats and Greens backed Coun Sanderson's bid, with their support ensuring the Conservatives came in ahead of Reform leader Mark Peart's bid to take the leadership.

The Tories are the largest party on the council with 26 seats to Reform's 23 - but remain nine short of an overall majority. However, while Reform claimed a “coalition” opposed them, Coun Sanderson and the other group leaders have insisted there is no official “deal” between the parties.

A series of votes among councillors also saw Reform fail to secure the chair of any of the council’s various scrutiny or planning committees. The party did not put forward a nomination for the Ashington and Blyth Local Area Committee despite a strong presence in the area, while some members opted to vote for Conservative councillor Daniel Carr for the vice-chair of the committee.