Rutland County Council Leader Gale Waller Survives No Confidence Vote Amidst Local Government Uncertainty, Meeting Videos

Rutland County Council Leader Survives No Confidence Vote Amidst Local Government Uncertainty

Gale Waller, the Liberal Democrat leader of Rutland County Council, has successfully weathered a vote of no confidence, securing her position at the helm of the authority. The motion, brought forward by the Conservative group, was defeated during a special council meeting held on Tuesday evening.

The vote of no confidence saw eight councillors voting in favour of removing the leader, while a decisive 14 voted against the motion. Two members abstained from the vote. The result allows Councillor Waller, who has led the council since the local elections in 2023, to continue her leadership as the council navigates a period of significant change and uncertainty.

The motion was raised against a backdrop of complex challenges facing Rutland County Council, particularly the looming threat of local government reorganisation. Discussions and potential changes at a national level could see the future of the small, rural authority called into question, with the possibility of its functions being absorbed by a larger neighbouring council.

Councillor Waller's leadership has been under scrutiny as the council grapples with these external pressures, alongside the usual challenges of local governance. The Conservative group, in bringing the motion, cited various concerns, though the specifics of their arguments were not fully disclosed. The lack of communication between the leader and residents and Councillors was rasied, (Editors note (This was a similar complaint often heard when the Conservatives controlled the council, so nothing new there.) However, the outcome of the vote suggests a majority of councillors maintain their faith in her ability to guide the council through these turbulent times.

The special meeting saw a robust debate, highlighting the political divisions within the council. Yet, the final tally indicates a clear majority coalesced around the current leadership, prioritising stability at a time when the council's very existence is being debated in wider political spheres.

For now, Councillor Waller's position is secure, allowing her and her administration to focus on the immediate priorities of serving the residents of Rutland and preparing for whatever local government changes may lie ahead. The survival of the vote is a significant victory for the Liberal Democrat leader, but the underlying challenges facing Rutland County Council remain a pressing concern for all its members and the community it serves.

Content Warning: The following video contains language used by Councillor Abigail West (Cottesmore, Liberal Democrats) that some viewers may find offensive. Councillor West has since made multiple apologies for her comments. 

Cllr Mark Chatfield of the Oakham North East Liberal Democrats has issued an apology regarding his conduct at the meeting. Although no offensive language is audible, we understand that some viewers may find certain moments offensive through lip-reading. Oakham Rutland News extends its apologies to anyone who is offended. We are unable to confirm the specific instances of this behavior, as we do not have the ability to lip-read.

 

Cllr Andrew Brown Lyddington Independent Chairman of Rutland County Council Start of Special Meeting

 

Cllr Lucy Stephenson Uppingham Conservative Presents The Conservative Group Motion

 

Cllr Andrew Dinsmore Barleythorpe Conservative Speaks

Cllr Gale Waller Liberal Democat Normanton Leader of Rutland County Council, Clarification 

 

Cllr Gale Waller Liberal Democrat Rutland County Council Leader Response to Motion

Cllr Ramsay Ross Oakham North West Labour Leader Labour Group

Cllr Kiloran Heckels Exton Conservative

 

Cllr Tim Smith Normanton Liberal Democrats 

Cllr Giles Clifton Braunston & Martinsthorpe Conservative

Cllr Steve McRobb Oakham North West

Content Warning: The following video contains language used by Councillor Abigail West (Cottesmore, Liberal Democrats) that some viewers may find offensive. Councillor West has since made multiple apologies for her comments.  

 

Cllr Raymond Payne Oakham South Liberal Democrats, The Fan

Cllr Abigail West Cottesmore, Liberal Democrats

Cllr Tracy Carr Barleythorpe Independent

Cllr Stephen Lambert Uppingham Liberal Democrats

Cllr David Wilby Ryhall and Casterton Conservative

Cllr Mark Chatfield Oakham North East Liberal Democrats

Cllr Karen Payne Ketton Conservative

Cllr Linda Chatfield Oakham North East Liberal Democrats

Cllr Raymond Payne Oakham South Liberal Democrats

Cllr Kevin Corby Ryhall and Casterton Independent

Cllr Oliver Hemsley Langham Independent

Cllr Lucy Stephenson Summing Up and Recorded Vote