Lib Dems take overall control as Labour Councillor quits

The Liberal Democrats have taken overall control of Rochdale Metropolitan Council due to Langley and West Middleton Labour Councillor Terry Smith resigning his seat.  Councillor Smith has stood down with immediate effect.  His seat is up for election in May, there will be no by-election as a lsquo;six month rule'* will apply. 

This leaves the Liberal Democrats with over half the Councillors and now in full control of the Council The Liberal Democrats previously had minority control of the Council - the new Council is: Liberal Democrats 30, Labour 19 and the Conservatives 10. 

Labour Group Leader, Councillor Allen Brett explained that Mr Smith had already taken the decision not to stand for re-election in May and he had resigned for quot;personal reasons", moreover Councillor Brett revealed that Mr Smith would have been asked to stand down due to non-attendance had he not resigned.

Council Leader, Councillor Alan Taylor said: ldquo;I don’t know the reasons behind former Councillor Smith’s decision but I am acutely aware that this gives the Liberal Democrats a stronger mandate to deliver our exciting but challenging manifesto.  Since the successful election in May we have strived to use the mandate clearly given to us by the people of the Borough of Rochdale.  We shall continue apace and deliver the lowest Council Tax increase for over a decade, to devolve power locally, to continue our drive to improve recycling and the many other improvements we aim for and are delivering for this Borough.”

He continued: ldquo;I am disappointed for the people of West Middleton as they will be without one of their Councillors for 4 months.  It is quite obvious like the rest of the Borough, people within the Labour ranks are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the Labour Party. 

"I pay tribute to the hard work put into the community of Langley and West Middleton by former Councillor Smith.”

Fellow Langley and West Middleton Councillor Robin Parker said: quot;Terry Smith has been a hard working Councillor for Langley. He had set up the Millenium Centre and was actively committed to working with young people to keep them out of trouble. Sadly, in the last two years personal circumstances have meant that Terry was not able to properly carry out his Council duties. This is a personal issue and Alan Taylor's comments about disillusionment are totally out of order. Terry's resignation now shows integrity and we wish him well for the future."

* A seat vacated within six months of the date on which an election is due does not trigger a by-election, the seat is filled at the forthcoming election - to be held on 3 May 2007.