West Norfolk Council: Independents in control after election

At Thursday's annual meeting of the council at King's Lynn Town Hall, Terry Parish, ward member for Heacham and leader of the Independent Group, was voted in as leader.

He said he would form an administration in partnership with the Liberal Democrat and Green Party groups working closely with the Labour Group.

Charles Joyce, leader of the Labour Group on West Norfolk council (Image: Ian Burt)

Mr Parish said: "I’m looking forward to leading this group, as it embraces not only independent councillors, but also Liberal Democrats and Green party members.

"We will be working closely with Charles Joyce and the Labour Group.  I have a competent and enthusiastic cabinet who are keen to get involved with addressing our local priorities that will help make west Norfolk healthier and fairer for all."

Cabinet members are Alex Kemp, people and communities; Simon Ring, tourism, events and marketing; Chris Morley, finance; Alistair Beales, business; Michael de Whalley, climate change and biodiversity; Sandra Squire, environment and coastal; Bal Anota, property and corporate services.

Alex Kemp, the council's new cabinet member for people and communities (Image: Newsquest)

Conservatives lost overall control of the authority they had run since 2003 at the May 4 poll.

It was one of four authorities in Norfolk and Waveney which were taken from the Tories, who blamed national concerns such as the cost of living crisis for the beating dished out at the ballot box. 

In West Norfolk, they finished up with 21 seats, with the independents securing 18, Labour 11, the Lib Dems three and the Greens two. Some 28 are needed for overall control of the 55-member council.

Margaret Wilkinson, who has been elected mayor of West Norfolk (Image: BCKLWN)

Margaret Wilkinson, long-serving Labour councillor for the Fairstead ward, was elected mayor for the year ahead.

Paul Bland, newly-elected Independent member for the Woottons, was made her deputy.