Latest news with #PeterboroughFirst
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Peterborough's Labour administration survives no confidence vote
A Labour-run city council has held onto its leadership after surviving a motion of no confidence First leader Chris Harper put forward the motion after forming an alliance with the Liberal Democrat and Green Party a meeting on Wednesday, 26 councillors voted for the motion while 32 councillors voted against, and one abstained. Speaking after the vote, Labour leader Dennis Jones told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he was "humbled" by the support he received. "Yes, there's an element of relief but I was always hoping that common sense would prevail."I just feel we're on the right track and I want to take all 60 councillors with this administration for the thing we're all elected to do: for the people of Peterborough." 'Common ground' The motion argued that a reduction in Labour group members since last year's election by two had "led opposition members to doubting the capacity of the administration to effectively deliver".Before the vote, Conservative group leader Wayne Fitzgerald said the motion was "bizarre" and that Jones had done a "pretty good job" as said Peterborough First had found "much common ground" with the Liberal Democrats and Green Party, and urged members to vote for the Peterborough First councillor, Mark Ormston, resigned from the group before the full meeting and abstained from voting, meaning he is now an independent will continue to hold its minority administration since taking charge in May council is made up of 17 Labour councillors, 12 Peterborough First councillors, 11 Conservatives, eight Liberal Democrats, seven independents and five Green Party councillors. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'No confidence' motion published ahead of Peterborough meeting
A motion of no confidence in a city council's minority Labour administration has been published ahead of a meeting next week. An alliance of three parties on Peterborough City Council - Peterborough First, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party - wants to takeover the motion, to be voted on at a full council meeting on 18 June, states a reduction in Labour group members has left opponents "doubting the capacity of the administration to effectively deliver".Dennis Jones, the council's Labour leader, dubbed it a "politically motivated back-room plot", adding: "Their actions do nothing but risk throwing Peterborough back into instability and chaos." Jones became the leader in May 2024 - the first time in more than 25 years a Labour councillor had headed the city council. Deciding vote Peterborough City Council is made up of 17 Labour ,13 Peterborough First, 11 Conservative, eight Liberal Democrat, six independent and five Green Party the Conservative group deciding not to join the alliance, next week's vote is expected to be close, according to the Local Democracy Reporting leader of the Peterborough First group is expected to takeover if the motion is passed. If it is a draw, a deciding vote will be cast by Mayor Judy Fox or Deputy Mayor Peter Hiller, both Peterborough First councillors. It would not be the first time that Peterborough First have taken control of the authority.A vote of no confidence saw former Conservative councillor and leader Wayne Fitzgerald ousted in November 2023. The latest motion states: "This council has lost confidence in the current administration."It adds: "Members of the Peterborough First, Liberal Democrat and Green groups have decided to form an alliance to provide an administration that works across party lines to take advantage of the skills and experience in each group and to increase transparency and collaborative working [with] all parties represented on the council to help meet the challenges and opportunities that the council faces."In order to achieve this [the] council is now calling for the removal of the current leader, so that it can consider an alternative leader." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council opposition plans motion to oust Labour
A no-confidence motion to remove Peterborough's Labour administration from power would be put forward on 18 June, a city councillor said. The leader of the Peterborough First group, Chris Harper, said he intended to do it at the next full council meeting, adding a coalition with the Liberal Democrat and Green Party groups was nearly agreed. Mr Harper said discussions were also taking place with independent councillors, whose votes could make all the difference. "Things are going extremely well," he said. The Labour Party called the move "disappointing" and a "politically motivated back-room plot". Dennis Jones has been leader of the council since last May when Labour won the most seats to form a minority administration. He has been approached for comment. The Liberal Democrat and Green Party groups have also been asked to comment on the plan. Before last year's election the council was run by Peterborough First - largely made up of Conservative defectors - after the group ousted Tory leader Wayne Fitzgerald. The move was backed by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party. Mr Harper, who took over as Peterborough First's leader in May, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the takeover plans could not be put forward at the last full council meeting on 19 May due to constitutional reasons. "We're discussing our joint coalition agreement at the moment which is going through the groups to make sure everyone is happy to sign off on it, but it's very positive and most people seem very happy on that," Mr Harper said. "Things are going extremely well. We are confident that we are nearly there now and we'll go for it. It will be up to the vote on the night." The current make-up of the council includes 17 Labour councillors, 13 from Peterborough First, 11 Conservatives, eight Liberal Democrats, six independents and five Green Party members. A spokesperson for the Labour Party said: "It is disappointing that Peterborough First and other groups on Peterborough City Council have decided to create instability with this politically motivated back-room plot. "After years of mismanagement and poor public finances at Peterborough City Council, Peterborough Labour has begun the critical work of getting Peterborough back on track. "Now is the time for councillors to continue to work together for Peterborough, rather than playing politics with residents' services and taxpayers' money." Mr Fitzgerald, who leads the Conservative group, said the move was about "power" and "selfish ambition". "I personally won't be supporting any vote of no confidence, and as for my other Conservative members they will decide in due course." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. City councillor returns as group leader Labour becomes biggest party in Peterborough Peterborough City Council
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Long-serving Peterborough councillor chosen to be city mayor
A councillor who has served Peterborough for more than 20 years has been elected as the city's next First's Judy Fox was chosen to be mayor for 2025-26 at Monday's full council meeting, taking over from Conservative councillor Marco Fox has been a member of the local authority for decades alongside her husband John, and both represent Werrington ward. Mr Fox will be her Peter Hiller, Peterborough First, was selected to become deputy mayor and his wife Debbie becomes the deputy mayoress. Every May, a long-serving city councillor is appointed mayor for the upcoming act as an ambassador for the city and chair full council and citizenship ceremonies, and frequently visit events within the Fox has previously held the titles of mayoress and deputy will support Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice and Peterborough Area Down's Syndrome Group as her chosen Fox said: "The reason I chose Peterborough Area Down's Syndrome Group is because they are very close to our hearts."When I was part of a charity with John called the Rudolf Fund some time ago, we took quite a few children with Down's Syndrome on our trips to Disneyland Paris. We have been in touch with them and their parents since then, by doing Mr and Mrs Claus at their Christmas party each year."They are a very successful group but are not funded, so have to rely on donations and fundraising events."She added: "I have chosen Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice as one of my charities because it is close to the hearts of my daughter Rachel and myself."Many residents in Peterborough will have had some connections with them and will know just how much they mean to the families of their loved ones in their time of need." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Councillor for 21-years to become new mayor of Peterborough
A councillor who has represented a ward for 21 years has been appointed as mayor of a Fox, a Peterborough First independent councillor at Peterborough City Council, will be the first female to become mayor of Peterborough since told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It means a lot to me really because I'm representing the city of which I was born and bred in."She will take over the position from Marco Cereste, a Conservative councillor at the authority, during a meeting on Monday. Fox, who represents Werrington, will become the 138th mayor of Peterborough, and will follow in the footsteps of her husband, John Fox, who served as mayor from Fox said he was "really chuffed" for his said she felt "very honoured" to become the new mayor. "I'm looking forward to it because I'm Peterborian through and through."I feel really excited about the year and I've got a few invites already," she to the Local Democracy Reporting Service she said she was keen to work with all the communities in Peterborough. What does the mayor of Peterborough do? The mayor of Peterborough is a very different role to the mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined mayor of the combined authority, which is currently Paul Bristow, receives a salary and is responsible for areas such as transport, skills, business support and May of each year, a long-serving Peterborough councillor is appointed as the mayor of Peterborough, with their term of office lasting for one role acts as a politically impartial chair of the authority, making sure that proper conduct takes place during full-council are also invited to attend community and fundraising events held for the mayor's charities, which they choose at the start of the civic year. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
