Statement from Liberal Democrat Councillors on NSDC Re Newark Green Space
As Liberal Democrat councillors on Newark and Sherwood District Council, we wish to express our great relief that agreement appears to have been reached between the Council and Datch Properties, which avoids the felling of several mature trees and the tarmacking of green space next to Newark library and allows the area to continue to be enjoyed and used by local people. Being timed at the end of the CoP 26 conference, it is good to know that environmental considerations have won out over short-term financial difficulties. Many people from various political persuasions and many local people without political affiliation have contributed to the groundswell of opinion, which made this last-minute reprieve possible and everyone who has lobbied, commented and protested peacefully should be congratulated. Needless to say, we will both be voting to approve this deal at the forthcoming extraordinary full council meeting.
In the longer term there will, in our view, need to be an examination of the past discussions and decisions made, which resulted in this difficult situation arising. As indicated by Cllr. Keith Girling, mistakes have been made and it is vital to learn from those mistakes to prevent reoccurrence. High drama situations, while newsworthy, are not the way to implement Green policies in our district and the risks of confrontation and physical harm are real. It should not have been necessary for several brave members of the community to camp out overnight to ensure the protection of this space, for example.
We look forward to being part of the ongoing discussions and working with other councillors to ensure that Newark and Sherwood truly does become more Green.
Cllr Peter Harris
Cllr Malcolm Brock
Local Election Results May 2023
A spectacular set of elections both nationally and locally here in Newark and Sherwood!
Overall Lib Dem gains were 405 nationally, which posed a problem for Sky News, whose swingometer apparently was not able to contemplate a set of gains of this magnitude. We exceeded 'Exceeded Expectations'!
Our local gains at the district level saw the addition of our third District Councillor with the victory of Keith Melton in Trent Ward. We also kept 2 of 3 councillors for Southwell, now Karen Roberts and Peter Harris. We were encouraged to see the increase in our share of votes in other seats where we were able to field candidtes. Congratulations to everyone.
We had a very good performance in Southwell Town Council, gaining 10 of the 14 seats for which there were candidates, with 6 of these won in elections and 4 being uncontested. Two Conservatives, one Labour candidate and one Independent were also successful. One place on the council remains to be appointed to.
The Conservatives had a terrible set of district and parish elections, losing about half of their district councillors and many PCs. The final DC result was Conservative 14, Labour 11, Independents 11 (8 for Independents for Newark and 3 for other Independents) and Lib Dems 3. Discussions will take place for some time on the composition of the new administration, which is unlikely to include Conservatives for the first time since 2007.
On behalf of the executive, we are extremely grateful to everyone who stood as candidates, as well as everyone who performed the various roles which were necessary for the campaigns. We are a small party and many of you worked very hard.
We are very grateful for their past work to councillors who have stood down at this election, including Peter Scorer and Stuart Thompstone. Malcolm Brock has stood down from the District, though continues to serve on Southwell TC.
We welcome new members to the party, who were motivated by this campaign. This phenomenon was particularly marked in Trent Ward. Upton support has to be singled out, evidenced for anyone who drove through, by the huge number of LD stakeboards and posters.
Philip Barron
Chair, Newark Liberal Democrats
7 May 2023