'not the time' - as new council leader sworn in

The new leader of Blaby District Council (BDC) has been sworn in despite not getting the backing of the authority's former deputy leader. Councillor Maggie Wright had claimed it was

"not the right time" to replace the "experienced" Coun Terry Richardson as leader of the council. Coun Wright, BDC's former deputy leader, said she could not support

the nomination Conservative councillor Ben Taylor because she "strongly believed this was not the time to exchange an experienced, accomplished leader for one of inexperience".

Coun Taylor was sworn in to replace Coun Richardson who had led the authority for the last decade. In her statement, Coun Wright said: "This council and indeed councils throughout

Leicestershire and this country are facing the biggest change in local government since the 1950s, with the English devolution bill and local government reorganisation. We are currently in

the middle of submitting a bid to central government which will shape our communities for the future." READ MORE: Updates on major plans set to transform area around Leicester Market

She said BDC had made "an excellent start with the proposal", but the "elephant in the room" was the fact that the city mayor will have to extend the city's

boundaries for growth and sustainability. She said it therefore "made no sense" to change the leader "who has been heavily involved in this process and doing a good job at

this point". She said [if the new leader was sworn in] BDC would have an "inexperienced leader who has sole delegated power with the chief executive to engage with local

authorities, the government and relevant partners to develop proposals to create a mayoral strategic authority and options for local government reorganisation". She added: "To

complicate matters further, we have the new Reform administration at [Leicestershire County Council] with their own thoughts on how the county should look in the future. We will have a new

leader of a majority group who has no overall control of this council, and who, as tonight, will probably be relying on the casting vote of the chairman or support from an opposition group.

"Having been disillusioned with the National Conservative Party and my local Conservative association, and finally my group, I was left with no alternative, and I took the decision to

become an independent member, but I recognise that this is politics". She then asked for the vote to be recorded - meaning that the names of members and their vote on a specific issue

are recorded in the official minutes of the meeting - which was supported. BDC said Councillor Taylor, who joined the Council in 2015 and represents the Fosse Highcross Ward, brings a wealth

of experience and a strong commitment to serving the residents and businesses of Blaby District. Following a vote to confirm the new council leader, Councillor Taylor said: “I am extremely

honoured and privileged to have been elected Leader of Blaby District Council and will work tirelessly for the people and communities of the area. “I want to thank Councillor Terry

Richardson for his outstanding leadership over the past 10 years. I look forward to working with officers and our communities to continue delivering high quality services and shaping a

positive future for our District.” The meeting also confirmed changes to the Council’s Cabinet, which is now made up of: * Leader – Coun Ben Taylor * Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for

Finance, People and Transformation Coun Cheryl Cashmore * Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets Coun Nigel Grundy * Portfolio Holder for Housing, Community Safety and

Environmental Services Coun Les Phillimore * Portfolio Holder for Planning and Strategic Growth Coun Mike Shirley * Portfolio Holder for Health, Community and Economic Development Coun Nick

Chapman Coun Richardson will continue to serve as a ward councillor for Narborough and Littlethorpe. He said: “It has been the honour and privilege of my life to serve as leader of the

council for the last 10 years. It is something I never imagined I would have the opportunity to do, and I have worked tirelessly during that time to do the very best for the residents of

Blaby District, our officers and councillors. “I shall return to the backbenchers confident that I have done my best having steered the council through some challenging times.” We are now

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