BROMSGROVE’s independent councillors have split because they think it will help focus on local issues.

The eight Independent councillors on Bromsgrove Council had formed a Bromsgrove Alliance group to become the main opposition who acted together in the face of the Conservative majority on the council.

But they have now decided to form two smaller groups of four each, split on geographic lines with the M5 being the rough line of demarcation.

The split recognises the ‘particular differences’ between the East and West parts of the council area.

Alliance group leader Councillor Steve Colella said: “The district includes a diverse range of wards – from village communities to town centres, facing different challenges around transport, congestion, planning & development of the Green Belt.

There are particular differences between the east and west sides of the District, roughly either side of the M5.”

Cllr Kate Van der Plank, who serves Alvechurch Village, is the Leader of the newly formed Bromsgrove Independents – East District. It is also made up of Alvechurch South (Cllr Annette English), Barnt Green (Cllr Charles Hotham) and Drakes Cross (Cllr Sue Baxter – Deputy Leader)

The West & Central District includes: Hagley West (Cllr Steve Colella - Leader), Hagley East (Cllr Rachel Jenkins), Sidemoor (Cllr Sue Douglas), Charford (Cllr Michael Thompson- Deputy Leader)

Cllr Baxter, one of the longest serving councillors on the district having joined over 14 years ago, said: ‘We believe we can better represent the interests of local residents and focus fully on the unique and specific issues relevant to our local wards by re-grouping on geographic lines.”

But the two smaller groups say they will continue to work closely together – ‘and we remain keen to work collaboratively with all other councillors from all sides of the political spectrum.’