Gloucester City Council has plunged into uncertainty following the removal of its Liberal Democrat leader, Jeremy Hilton, with no clear successor appointed to steer the authority forward.
The council, which has grappled with significant challenges including a cyber attack and a £15.5 million emergency bailout earlier this year to stave off financial collapse, now finds itself without formal leadership.
The turmoil unfolded on 24 September during a full council meeting when a vote of no confidence was passed against Cllr Hilton, who represented Kingsholm and Wotton and led the 17-member minority Liberal Democrat administration at North Warehouse.
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Concerns have surfaced that government commissioners might be deployed to assume control of the council’s decision-making, especially as further financial support could be required.
The motion to remove Cllr Hilton was introduced by Community Independent councillor Alastair Chambers (Maston, Robinswood and White City) and garnered full backing from Conservative and Labour groups.
Cllr Chambers cited several issues prompting the motion, including unmet promises, the council’s challenging financial position, failure to complete the sale of Gloucestershire Airport, increased fees and charges, and substantial losses at Kingswalk and Eastgate shopping centres. “Something needs to be done,” he emphasised. “Leadership needs to be changed.”
Deputy Leader Declan Wilson (LD, Hucclecote), responsible for overseeing the council’s financial recovery plan, expressed surprise at Cllr Chambers' criticisms, suggesting they disregarded progress made over the past two years.
He explained that the council’s financial difficulties stem from previously undetected overspending due to inadequate accounting practices, which the Liberal Democrats had highlighted while in opposition. Upon discovering these discrepancies, the current administration prioritised rectifying the records, uncovering that the council was effectively bankrupt before their tenure began.
Unpopular budgetary decisions have been necessary to address this legacy, with council debt increasing from £35 million in 2019 to approximately £116 million by 2024, partly influenced by rising interest rates, Cllr Wilson noted.
A report from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy identified legacy issues and high borrowing costs as significant challenges. He urged councillors to reject the no-confidence motion, criticising it as a “pantomime” and “farce.”
Labour group leader Terry Pullen (Moreland) criticised Cllr Hilton for a perceived lack of collaboration and diminishing confidence from council colleagues. “He’s bulldozed his way forward with scant regard for opposition parties,” said Mr Pullen. He also condemned the rejection of plans involving £45 million to improve housing in Podsmead, declaring that Cllr Hilton’s leadership term had ended.
Conservative group leader Stephanie Chambers (Quedgeley Fieldcourt) echoed these sentiments, stating the motion was not political manoeuvring but a genuine question of public confidence in Cllr Hilton. She highlighted efforts by opposition parties over two years to work with him, which had ultimately failed, resulting in a breakdown of trust and instances of community members being ridiculed online.
The combined votes of Conservatives, Labour, and Community Independents (21 votes) outweighed those of the Liberal Democrats and Independent Conservative Lorraine Campbell (18 votes).
Despite the expectation that the Liberal Democrats would promptly nominate a new leader, they unanimously supported Cllr Hilton and collectively resigned from the cabinet. An immediate attempt to re-elect Cllr Hilton was defeated 21 to 18.
Liberal Democrat councillor Liam Harries (Quedgeley Severn Vale) described the situation as “crazy,” highlighting the absence of a replacement proposal from the opposition. “You voted against the leader without a plan. How can we trust you to run the council without proposing someone to lead instead?” he questioned.
At present, the Conservatives, Labour, and Community Independents have not nominated a new leader, leaving the council without formal leadership.
Council managing director is expected to meet group leaders today (25 September) to discuss possible resolutions. Without an extraordinary meeting to elect a new leader, the council may remain without leadership until the next full meeting scheduled for November.