Council leader survives no confidence vote

Julia McShaneImage source, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Image caption,

Guildford Borough Council Liberal Democrat leader Julia McShane has survived a vote of no confidence brought by the Conservative opposition

At a glance

  • The motion of no confidence was brought against Julia McShane, the council's Liberal Democrat leader

  • She was re-elected leader of the authority after the party took overall control in May's local elections

  • The motion was brought by the opposition Conservative group

  • It was defeated by 24 votes to 15

  • Published

The leader of Guildford Borough Council has survived a no confidence vote.

The motion was tabled at a meeting on Tuesday by the opposition Conservative group.

Julia McShane was re-elected leader in May, after the Liberal Democrats won overall control of the council in the local elections, having previously ruled as part of a coalition.

The motion was brought amid fears the council may have to issue a Section 114 notice, effectively declaring itself bankrupt.

The council has debts of £300m, which are expected to increase, and strict controls on spending have been imposed.

Before May, Guildford Borough Council was run by a coalition of the Liberal Democrats and the Residents for Guildford and Villages party (RG4V).

The Lib Dems' former coalition partners supported the motion, while Labour councillors helped vote it down.

The motion was defeated by 24 votes to 15, with three councillors from the Guildford Greenbelt Group abstaining.

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