SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Independents have their say

THE three independent councillors on South Somerset District Council acted as “king-makers” last night (Thursday, May 21, 2015) at the authority’s first meeting since the recent local election.

With there being no majority party at the council with Liberal Democrats holding 29 seats and Conservatives 28, the three independents of Cllrs Dave Bulmer, Andrew Turpin and Tony Capozzoli can play the all-important trump cards on which group wins votes.

There have been private discussions in which the two parties have been vying to gain the support of the independents and it would appear, on last night’s performance, that the indy group is going to side with the LibDems in the main, but not completely lose its independence stance.

The independents, led by Cllr Bulmer, voted in favour of the LibDems’ Cllr Mike Best retaining his place as the council’s chairman ahead of Conservative member Cllr Linda Vijeh.

All part of a deal which saw the LibDems side with the independents in supporting Cllr Capozzoli as the council’s new vice-chairman with Cllr Vijeh again losing out for the Tories.

The LibDems’ Cllr Ric Pallister was voted back in as council leader and he announced Cllr Jo Roundell Greene as his deputy.

PHOTO - TOP: Indepedent group's Cllr Tony Capozzoli has been made vice-chairman of the council as part of the "king-making" deal.

But there were a couple of occasions last night where the independents voted for the Conservatives instead of LibDems over the chairmanship of council committees and representation on other groups.

It could be an interesting four years for the council.

Area committee chairmen and vice-chairmen: Area West: Chairman – Cllr Carol Goodall, vice-chairman – Cllr Jenny Kenton. Area North: Chairman – Cllr Shane Pledger, vice-chairman – Cllr Dean Ruddle. Area East: Chairman – Cllr Nick Weeks, vice-chairman – Cllr Mike Lewis. Area South: Chairman – Cllr Peter Gubbins, vice-chairman – Cllr David Recardo.

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