Conservatives lose control of Bromsgrove District Council

After an election day which mirrored the national picture, the Conservatives had an overall loss of seven seats, falling five seats short of a majority.

However, the Conservatives are still the largest party on the council with eleven seats, while Labour have become the second largest with eight seats, followed by the Independents with seven seats and the Lib Dems have five seats.

Some big names in the Conservative party lost their seats including former deputy leader of the council, Geoff Denaro who lost his seat for Wythall West to independent councillor Stephen Peters.

Former chairman Rod Laight also lost his seat in Lowes Hill to Lib Dem councillor Josh Robinson and former cabinet member Michael Thompson also lost out in Slideslow to the Lib Dem’s after moving from Charford.

Liberal Democrat Bromsgrove district councillors. (Image: Bromsgrove Lib Dems.)

Lib Dem councillor Josh Robinson said: "Residents have made their voice loud and clear that no one party in Bromsgrove has a mandate to govern alone.

“Lib Dem councillors are pragmatic and willing to work with others where there is common ground.

“Lib Dems are open to talks with other political groups as long as we can deliver on our key priorities.

“We want Artrix reopened. We want to tackle traffic with the council creating an independent study to assess sites for a relief road and other traffic options.

“We want to protect green belt with a focus on building the right homes in the right places with the right infrastructure.

“We want to regenerate Bromsgrove with a programme of much needed investment.

“We also want a cleaner and greener Bromsgrove, with the council working towards carbon neutrality."

Labour councillor Peter McDonald said he is very happy to be re-elected and very pleased to see the Conservatives lose control of the council.

He said: “It’s good to see that the Conservatives are not in the same position as they were last week and haven’t been in this position since 1999.

“The people of Bromsgrove have spoken and said they have had enough of Conservative control.

“The Conservatives must accept this.

“When the dust settles, I’m hoping we will move forward.

“It’s time for change and any major decision will be made at the next council meeting.”

Cllr Karen May, former Bromsgrove District Council leader said she is very disappointed with the results.

“We are still the largest party,” said Cllr May.

“We are committed to the residents and attaining the best outcome for them.”

Cllr May said she is sorry to see some big names from the party lost as they are ‘good people who have played a significant role in Bromsgrove’.

She added: “We have had conversations with others and hope the parties will work together.

“We have £14.5m of levelling up money to spend and we attained that as an administration.

“No other district has attained that level of investment for Bromsgrove.”

New roles within the council will be decided at the next council meeting on May 24.