Political shake-up at Ashfield Council as 10 independent councillors form new opposition group

The move creates the largest opposition grouping on the 35-seat authority, with the ruling Ashfield Independents holding 18 seats, giving them a majority of just one.

The new group, known as District Alliance, brings together councillors from across Ashfield, including former Ashfield Independents and previously non-aligned independents.

Coun David Shaw (Ind), who represents Hucknall West, has been appointed the new group’s leader with Coun Kier Barsby (Ind) as deputy leader.

The new group says it will operate democratically, with all 10 councillors having an equal voice and a shared commitment to putting residents first.

The group's formation was formally submitted to the council on October 27.

Coun Shaw said: "Bringing 10 independent councillors together gives us a stronger, more co-ordinated voice in the council chamber.

"We are absolutely focused on putting the people of Ashfield first, ensuring decisions are properly examined and that public money is spent wisely.

"We will fully scrutinise proposed cabinet decisions, question spending priorities and make sure the administration is properly held to account.

"We also want residents to have a genuine opportunity to influence proposals before decisions are effectively made.

"Consultation should be meaningful, not simply a box-ticking exercise.

"Council staff are the lifeblood of Ashfield Council.

"We value the work they do, and we are committed to supporting staff morale and working constructively with employees to improve services for residents.

"This is about providing effective opposition, not opposition for its own sake.

"Where the council gets things right, we will support it.

"Where we believe things can be improved, we will challenge them."

The councillors will continue representing their respective wards while working together on issues affecting the wider district.

The group is also open to working with councillors from other political backgrounds where there are shared objectives.

Councillors forming the new opposition group are

Coun David Shaw – Hucknall West

Coun Kier Barsby – Sutton St Mary's

Coun Christopher Huskinson – Greenwood & Summit

Coun Warren Nuttall – Greenwood & Summit

Coun Lee Waters – Hucknall Central

Coun Gordon Mann – Hucknall North

Con John Wilmott – Hucknall North

Coun Trevor Locke – Hucknall South

Coun Ian Briggs – Hucknall West

Coun Sarah Lewsey – Kirkby Cross & Portland.

The new group means Ashfield Council is still led by the Ashfield Independents, with 18 councillors, with the new District Alliance the next largest group with 10.

The rest of the authority is made up by three Independents – Couns Dale Grounds, Matthew Relf and Jason Zadrozny, three councillors from Reform UK – Couns Andy Gascoyne, Dawn Justice and Cathy Mellors, and one Conservative, Hucknall West councillor Phil Rostance.