Title

Turbulence once again surrounds the position of the chief executive of Liverpool City Council. Colin Hilton announced he was off, just a week after Labour took control of the town hall. Although some polling stations ran out of ballot papers, enough people managed to vote to install the first Labour administration in a dozen years. It is headed by Joe Anderson who, in opposition, had a number of run-ins with Mr Hilton, once calling for his suspension. Four years ago, Mr Hilton steadied the ship after taking over in the aftermath of a spectacular bust-up between Sir David Henshaw and the-then leader, Mike Storey. Mr Hilton says he's proud of the much-improved education results and internal management changes he's made. Cllr Anderson faces pressure to appoint a successor on considerably less than the £200,000 salary that Mr Hilton enjoyed. Meanwhile, Sir Richard Leese is back at the helm in Manchester, having stepped down after accepting a caution for physically assaulting his stepdaughter. While his leadership is widely admired, there is some unease that among 61 other Labour councillors, there were no potential challengers. Some succession planning is needed in case that proverbial bus comes along. Labour had been losing ground on northern councils since the day [ex-prime minister] Tony Blair took power in 1997. In the party's moment of defeat at Westminster comes the turning of the tide in our town halls. In Leeds, Labour is, by 26 seats, the largest party, and attempts to retain a rainbow coalition against them look desperate. [Deputy prime minister] Nick Clegg's local representatives in Sheffield lost control of the city. Labour made straight gains in Liverpool, St Helens, Hartlepool and troubled Doncaster, and also removed the Liberal Democrats majority in Rochdale. The Conservatives lost control of North Tyneside, Hyndburn and Bury. Their tiny consolation was winning Craven DC.

Title

WHITEHALL

Soap Box

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING