Opposition councillors agree to work together

Opposition councillors in Torbay have formally agreed to work together to help provide stability for the local council.

“It shows that councillors of different groups can work together in a grown-up way,” said Lib Dem group leader Cllr Swithin Long (Barton with Watcombe).

A new shadow cabinet will be set up, and former Conservative councillor Katya Maddison (Shiphay) will sit as an independent, having previously founded the breakaway Prosper Torbay group with the late Patrick Joyce.

Following the political upheaval of recent months, senior leaders from the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Independent groups on Torbay Council have been considering new ways of working.

The authority is currently ‘hung’, with an 18-18 split between the Conservative and Opposition groups.

The opposition group says the aim is to reduce tensions following the Tory group’s decision not to work with other groups.

Cllr Swithin Long said: “The opposition groups will continue to engage positively with the process to hopefully improve relations with the Conservative group.

“However, the Lib Dem and Independent groups have agreed to formally work together which reflects our already positive relationship but which also formally sets out the 18-18 split on the council.”

Cllr Maddison said she had worked closely with the Independents and Lib Dems over the past year.

And Independent group leader Cllr Darren Cowel (Shiphay) added: “I welcome Katya’s decision to join the independent group as we work closely as fellow ward members and she has been an important part of working as part of the opposition.”