The Conservative group on Bury council has elected a new leader after the previous boss defected to Reform.
Bury West ward councillor Shabaz Arif will take on the role after previous Tory chief Jack Rydeheard jumped ship to become the borough’s first Reform representative earlier this month.
The Conservative group has seen a number of councillors quit this year. with another previous leader – Russell Bernstein – along with three other councillors resigning in July.
Coun Bernstein; his former deputy Jo Lancaster; Luis McBriar; and Dene Vernon now sit as independents after citing divisions within the local party as their reason for leaving the Conservatives.
The defection of Coun Rydeheard means the group has just five councillors at the town hall.
Coun Arif will be supported by Coun Jackie Harris as deputy. Coun Arif said: “It is an honour to have been chosen by my colleagues to lead the group.
“Our borough deserves a strong and united opposition that holds the administration to account, speaks up for local people, and offers constructive solutions to the challenges we face.
“I’m proud to work alongside Coun Jackie Harris as part of a team that is committed to delivering real value for residents, supporting local businesses, protecting our precious green belt, and ensuring every part of Bury has the opportunity to thrive.
“Housing remains one of the most important issues facing our communities. We want to see homes that are genuinely affordable for local people, built in the right places with proper infrastructure but not at the expense of our green spaces.
“Conservative councillors in Bury will always do what we can to protect our green belt.
He added that his team’s focus will remain on supporting small businesses, revitalising town centres, and protecting the local environment, ensuring Bury remains a great place to live, work, and invest.
Ramsbottom Come Together Festival in full swing this weekend
Bury Hospice awarded £46,000 as part of £25 million national hospice funding boost
Therme Manchester launches youth art competition to transform construction site into outdoor gallery
Older entrepreneurs invited to launch their own businesses at Bury Library event
Tobacco dog Dora helps uncover £25,000 in illegal goods across Bury
Rochdale marks Hate Crime Awareness Week with community outreach
The immersive tour of Rochdale, revealing hidden secrets
Andy Burnham to give homeless kids school bus passes
Call out to Falinge Park High School leavers from 1996
Pupils 'not safe' at Royton school, DfE warns, as Ofsted safeguarding concerns trigger closure
Tributes paid to Arian Abbasi after fatal light aircraft crash in Littleborough
Greater Manchester borough with one of the ‘lowest funding per person’ faces £14m budget hole
Comments
Add a comment