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Johno Lee announces plan to stand as unaligned councillor on Newark and Sherwood District Council, but remain part of Conservative party




A councillor is to become an unaligned member of a district council, but remain a member of the Conservative party nationally.

Johno Lee, who serves the Balderton North and Coddington ward on Newark and Sherwood District Council, yesterday released a statement announcing the change.

He stated: “After careful thought, I have decided to sit as an unaligned councillor at the district council while remaining a proud member of the Conservative Party.”

Johno Lee.
Johno Lee.

The longstanding councillor will also remain as a Conservative councillor on Nottinghamshire County Council, where he represents Balderton, and confirmed he would remain “fully committed” to delivering the Conservatives’ pledges and policies.

Mr Lee’s statement added: “This decision was not made lightly, but I feel it is what is best way to ensure that I can fully represent the interests of my residents, whilst allowing the Conservative group to move forward and have the best chance of holding the administration to account during the continuing difficulties of the coalition.”

It would also allow him to stand up for ‘ultra-local’ issues such as the Middlebeck and Lowfield Lane developments, he explained, and he would continue to offer the Conservative group support from the backbenches in holding the coalition to account, while serving residents with “integrity and dedication”.

Jack Kellas, leader of the Conservative group at the council, said: “I wish Councillor Lee well sitting as an unaligned independent at Newark and Sherwood District Council.

“Under my leadership, the Conservative group will always be committed to our core principles and standards, and will effectively represent the residents of our beautiful district in such an integrous way.

“I am confident that moving forward, the Conservative group at Newark and Sherwood District Council remain committed to working together for the benefit of local people, challenging decisions and championing change in a respectful way.”

The council’s chief executive, John Robinson, has also confirmed that the council received notice from Mr Lee of the changes.

Mr Lee’s announcement is the latest in a series of changes at the council in the past year, which has seen Green and Liberal Democrat councillor withdraw support for the Labour and Independents for Newark and District coalition, Matthew Spoors and Emma Oldham join the Green Party, and Rhona Holloway and Linda Dales leave the Conservatives to become unaligned independents.



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