RESIDENTS will come first, promises the leader of the Labour group on Wokingham borough council.
Cllr Rachel Burgess said her councillors have had a ‘positive working relationship’ with the Lib Dems during this first year of the Wokingham Borough Council, and questioned the reasoning behind the independent councillors for leaving the partnership.
“It is, of course, disappointing that the two Independent councillors have withdrawn,” she said.
“Of the two key reasons cited by the Independents the first, the local plan, did not form any part of the partnership agreement we all signed.
“The second, on independent voting, is explicitly mentioned in the partnership agreement which states that there is nothing to stop partner councillors voting according to their conscience.
“In the Labour Group we have voted differently to other members of the partnership at times during the year and have always felt able to do this without pressure or undue tension.”
Cllr Burgess, who represents Norreys ward, said the partnership had been able to look at ways the parties could work together for the benefit of Wokingham.
“During the past year we have had a positive working relationship with the ruling group and have found them to be open, transparent and consultative,” she continued.
“We will, from time-to-time, oppose their decisions but we will continue to concentrate on the policies on which we can agree. In future, we will look to work with councillors of all parties, including the independents, to find consensus in the interests of residents.”
