Conservatives Take Melton Borough Council Helm

0:00Conservatives just grabbed the reins at Miltonborough Council after a dead heat leadership vote. Ronan Brown from the Tories tied with Labour's Mike Brown at 14 votes a piece on Tuesday night. Mayor Sigi Atherton, who's in the Conservative camp, broke the tie with their casting vote, putting Brown in charge. This flips the script on a three-year coalition between Labour and Independence that ran things as a minority setup. Conservatives hold the biggest block with 11 seats, followed by eight group independence and five Labour members. Throw in three non-align independence and one Liberal Democrat, and no one has full control. Brown's promising a robust, inclusive run focused on residents, tight finances, and support for the vulnerable. Labour's Brown called the loss of disappointment, but praised the old coalition's progress. The shift means Brown leads his own minority administration, banking on support from a few independence for key votes. He said to name a new cabinet soon, and plans outreach to other groups.

1:01Top priorities include reviewing a council project to revive Milton's stock yard area, and pushing for more GP spots in the south end, where there's just one surgery now. Meanwhile, former leader Pip Allnet quit on April 2 over health issues right after his march arrest on suspicion of sexual assault. He suspended from Labour, but stays on as a non-aligned independent for Egrton Ward, and declined the common. Brown's team steps up as the council charts this new path forward. Local news, powered by AI. This is Lester News Today.