COUNCILLORS are set to be asked to vote on a motion to remove the current leader of the borough council.

Cllr Simon Minas-Bound was elected as the leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in February 2022, having been appointed acting leader when Cllr Ken Rhatigan stepped down. 

The election on May 4 saw both Basingstoke Labour group and the Liberal Democrat group gaining seats from the Conservatives.

With one seat available in each of the 18 wards, Conservatives remain the biggest party but lost one seat to Labour and two to the Liberal Democrats, this leaves the Conservative party with 23 of the 54 seats. Labour holds 10 seats, the Independent Forum holds 12 and the Liberal Democrats hold nine. 

READ MORE: Bad night for Basingstoke Conservatives as they lose three seats in local election

Now, a motion has been proposed by leader of the Independent Forum, Cllr Paul Harvey, to remove Cllr Minas-Bound as leader and appoint a new one. 

It has been seconded by Labour's Cllr Andy McCormick and Lib Dem group leader Cllr Gavin James. 

Cllr Harvey said: "The Conservatives were rejected at the polls on the 4th May, they do not have a majority on the council and it is right that we look to the future in Basingstoke and Deane given the position of No Overall Control.

"The motion seeks to remove the current leader of the council such that we can move forward respecting the democratic choice of Basingstoke and Deane’s residents. The response on the doorstep was clear, people want the Conservative administration out, we have a duty to act on that."

Speaking about the motion, Cllr Minas-Bound said: "Because we are the largest party and have by far the largest share of the vote we feel it is our duty to continue to run the council administration. 

"We need to do the best for residents and try and work together to deliver stability, experience and mutual respect. 

"In my first year as council leader, I have spent much of that time unpicking decisions like the dreadful land option on Manydown, that has caused so much delay, negotiated and agreed by the previous coalition council. 

"Basingstoke and Deane is a special place with a strong economy and we need to keep it that way.  

"If the three opposition party political groups try to create some form of coalition this will only add delay to key decisions on cost of living support, reducing development, investment in the leisure park, a new aquadrome, town centre improvement, supporting the NHS and protecting our environment. 

"Basingstoke and Deane deserves better than that."

The motion will be made at the full council meeting on Thursday, May 18.