Big gains for the Liberal Democrats!

With 11 Liberal Democrat councillors elected on May 4th 2023, the Liberal Democrats are now the largest group in County Hall. This almost qudruples size of the Liberal Democrat group from having only 3 councillors 18 months ago. Subsequently we have formed a partnership with the Green Party Group to deliver change for the people of Rutland. 

Taking on the role of Leader of the Council, Liberal Democrat group leader, Gale Waller, has formed a cabinet consiting of 5 Liberal Democrat Councillors all from a diverse background and with a wide range of skills. They include: Andrew Johnson (Deputy leader and portfolio holder for resources), Diane Ellison (portfolio holder for adult care and health), Christine Wise (portfolio holder for highways, transport and the environment), Raymond Payne (portfolio holder for children’s services) and Paul Browne (portfolio holder of planning and property).

In a speech in the council chamber, shortly after being elected, Leader of the Council Gale Waller said "We want to be far more transparent and engaging, which has been the case for the whole time I have been on the council. I am on record as saying that some years ago, so this isn't new for us.

Of course, we won't be able to do what everyone wants. You know the old adage, you can please all the people some of the time, or some of the people all of the time. But I hope that residents will understand that if we are not doing what they want, that they will know why we are not, and I think that's what has been missing.

People are not stupid and if you explain why, then they might say 'have you thought of doing this, have you looked at it this way?' but they understand what you're saying and that is what good dialogue is about, and that is what we are aiming for"