Leadership Crisis in West Lindsey District Council
West Lindsey District Council has found itself without a leader following the removal of its top two officials. Trevor Young and Lesley Rollings, both Liberal Democrat councillors, were voted out of their roles as leader and deputy leader by a cross-party group during a tense meeting on Monday, July 7. The decision came after they lost the support of their own party.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service was informed that the leadership style of Young and Rollings had caused dissatisfaction among other councillors for an extended period. Their “combative” approach and the number of positions they held were cited as key issues. This led to concerns that the council was left “rudderless” at a critical time.
Coun Young, who became leader in 2023, expressed deep disappointment, stating that the vote marked the lowest point in his 30 years on the council. He criticized the Conservatives for lacking a mandate to lead, calling it a “car crash waiting to happen.” He emphasized the need for clarity and stability, arguing that the absence of leadership would harm the people the council serves.
Lesley Rollings shared similar sentiments, calling the motion “incredibly disappointing” given the work the administration had done over the past two years. The vote to remove them passed with 20 votes to seven, with three abstentions.
Jackie Brockway, the Conservative opposition leader, noted that the leader and deputy leader had lost the confidence of most of the council. While some members still supported them, she said the majority felt the council needed to move forward. She also highlighted the desire to reduce conflict and focus on collaborative governance rather than personal attacks.
Both the Liberal Democrat and Conservative leaders acknowledged uncertainty about which party the next leader would come from. The meeting was marked by heated exchanges, particularly between Coun Young and the chairman, Matt Boles, both of whom are Liberal Democrats. At one point, Boles accused Young of spreading “untruths,” prompting a sharp response from Young.
David Dobby, a Liberal Democrat councillor who supported the leadership during the debate, warned that removing both leaders simultaneously would leave the council in disarray. He argued that this division could cause significant disruption, especially during a time of local government reorganisation.
The Liberal Democrats also questioned the credibility of the person behind the motion, Trevor Bridgewood, who is affiliated with Consensus Independent and Reform on Lincolnshire County Council. Despite this, the Liberal Democrats remain the largest party on the council with 17 seats, followed by the Conservatives with 14.
West Lindsey District Council operates under a committee system and is not legally required to have a leader, although it has traditionally done so. A new leadership election is scheduled for September 8.
