By Thom Kennedy

Last updated at 15:50, Friday, 12 March 2010

The leadership of Eden council could be set to change in the coming weeks after the leading independent group was split in two amid a row over the members’ removal from the Eden’s executive.

Keith Phillips

Ten members of the ruling Independent Group left to form the new Independent Alliance last Friday following three councillors’ removal from the executive for voting against a planned service sharing agreement with South Lakeland council, leaving just eight members of the leading party in the council chamber.

Now the council is under the control of the third largest party in the chamber – there are 12 Conservative members – and with the executive now boasting just three members, the position of leader Keith Phillips, who is on holiday, appears under threat from a leadership challenge.

At the time of the decision, the Alliance’s new leader Mike Davidson said: “It is time for a new start. We have really important challenges ahead of us and we need some new approaches.

“Those of us who voted for the amendment last week did so because we want to explore all options available to the council, rather than go forward with a single option as had been put forward to the council.

“The new group intends to discuss with the Conservatives the possibility of forming a new alliance with them to push forward a new approach.”

However, it is unlikely a challenge would be made while Mr Phillips is away on holiday and he is not expected back until the end of next week.

Speaking to The Cumberland News, Mr Davidson added: “At the end of the day, the cabinet is three short at the moment. There were a lot of people very unhappy at the situation, hence why the Independent Alliance was formed.

“I don’t believe that the Independent Group could run the council in these challenging times, and a number of my colleagues agree with me.”

First published at 14:13, Friday, 12 March 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk