Lib Dem Roodhouse wins concessions as Tories split over Super Authority

Rugby's tory Council boss Mike Stokes was forced to make concessions to the Liberal Democrats last Thursday as his own party split asunder.

Rugby Borough Council was debating plans for a new "Super" authority for the West Midlands - see http://rugby.lib.dm/a210l7 .

Two tory councillors spoke against official tory policy. They were Cllr David Ellis who represents Wolston and the Lawfords - see http://rugby.lib.dm/a310mg and Cllr Jim Buckley who represents Hillmorton. (Back in February Jim Buckley turned the debate on what Council Tax to set for the coming year into a platform to "praise" the Liberal Democrats' limpet like tenacity in coalition - see http://rugby.lib.dm/a2Ths ).

This division in conservative ranks gave Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Jerry Roodhouse an opportunity to win a concession from the tories. The Council will not join the West Midlands Combined Authority unless all Rugby residents have been fully consulted on the proposal first.

Cllr Neil Sandison again raised Liberal Democrat concerns that a Labour mayor of the West Midlands might want to use compulsory purchase and other powers to force market towns like Rugby to take more than their fair share of new housing - see http://rugby.lib.dm/a110mt .

Cllr Roodhouse said Rugby Borough Council needed to keep working hard to ensure that we get greater value for taxpayers with improved services.

Eventually the Council voted to give Cllr Mike Stokes the authority to keep talking to Labour bosses about the proposed new Super Authority but only on the basis that any decision to join would need to involve full consultation with Rugby's residents.