East Sussex County Council’s Reform UK group has appointed Andy Woolley as its new leader. Woolley, who has served for many years as a parish councillor, was recently elected to represent Heathfield and Mayfield at county level.
Bexhill West representative Pete Morley was chosen as deputy leader.
Cllr Paul Soane, councillor for Hailsham New Town, was appointed group secretary.
Following the recent local elections, Reform UK emerged as the largest party on the council, holding 22 of the authority’s 50 seats. However, the party does not have an outright majority.
The remaining seats are made up of 13 Liberal Democrats, 11 Green Party councillors, three Conservatives and one Independent member.
Cllr Woolley said: “We have 22 seats, and we are under no illusions about what that means. Forming an administration will require the genuine support of others, and we are seeking that in good faith.”
“We have already reached out to the other groups. We are not asking them to abandon their identities or their principles. We are asking whether we can find sufficient common ground – on the roads, the finances, the quality of care – to work together for the people of East Sussex.”
” We believe we can, and we will continue making that case.” He added: “If we are lucky enough to gain the support of other parties and form an administration, we will not be rushing to tear things up.”
“We would take the time to understand what we have inherited – the good as well as the difficult – and make decisions based on evidence and on what is genuinely in residents’ interests. “East Sussex has had enough of politics as performance. An administration formed with the support of others would be one that governs for everyone, and that can be judged on what it actually delivers.”
The council is expected to choose its new leader on Thursday, May 21.
A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat group said: “After the recent elections, East Sussex County Council is in no overall control. Discussions are continuing on a decision to shape the next administration.”
Meanwhile, a Green Party spokesperson said: “The Green Party group have had initial meetings with colleagues at County Hall and are continuing those conversations with a view to positive outcomes for the 71 per cent of East Sussex residents who did not support a Reform UK administration.”