Feuding Torbay councillors bury the hatchet

Torbay councillors who were told that their feuds were damaging the reputation of the whole council have voted to bury the hatchet.

Last summer a report from the Local Government Association called on members from both the Conservative administration and the Lib Dem/Independent opposition to spend more time serving the public and less time arguing.

The report said: “The very small number of elected members from across the council chamber whose behaviours are impacting so negatively must ask themselves what they want their legacy to be.”

Meetings had been marred by angry exchanges, a walkout and deep divisions.

Now the leaders of the Conservative, Lib Dem and Independent groups have all signed up to the new ‘Torbay Way’. Among its changes, a number of committee chairs and other council posts have been shared more equally between parties.

Opposition councillors will have complete control of the council’s scrutiny committees.

Council leader David Thomas (Con, Preston) said the new agreement was a ‘collaborative framework’ that put the needs of the people of Torbay first.

“It hasn’t been easy,” he said. “It has required wholesale U-turns from groups to get to the position of agreement where we are now. There has been heartache, upset and disappointment, but I believe it’s an outcome that was worth the journey.”

Lib Dem leader Swithin Long (Barton with Watcombe) said the process of creating the Torbay Way had been long and frustrating, with some ‘frank conversations’.

“I look forward to things improving and resulting in a better perception of the council for our residents.”

And Independent group leader Darren Cowell (Shiphay) added: “We were determined to arrive at an agreement, and we have. There will always be bumps in the road, but we have got the foundations here.”