LABOUR councillors have taken the lead at Stroud District Council.
At the council’s AGM last night, Thursday, May 17, Dursley councillor Geoff Wheeler, leader of the Labour group, was voted in as new council leader replacing former leader Tory Cllr Frances Roden.
The change of leader came after the Conservative group at Stroud District Council lost five seats in this month’s local elections, and the resignation of council chairman Cllr John Hudson from the Tory group.
It was expected that the Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green and independent groups would create a ‘rainbow’ coalition to run the council but it is now believed the council will be run under a committee system.
Also at last night’s meeting Cllr Hudson was voted back in as chairman, and Labour councillor Mark Rees, was voted in as vice-chairman.
Cllr Hudson confirmed that he would continue his investigation into expenses.
Talks will now take place in the next few days to decide who will take the other top jobs at the authority.
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