Roger Phillips gets second term as council leader

11:46am Saturday 17th May 2008

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ROGER Phillips has a second term as outright leader of Herefordshire Council - but the appointment wasn't the usual formality.

Two members voted against Councillor Phillips assuming the office, and seven others abstained when the full council met to make to appointment yesterday (Friday).

Proposing Coun Phillips for the post, Councillor Adrian Blackshaw said he had the "full endorsement" of the Tory group. Councillor Jo Fishley was the seconder.

Councillors Marcelle Lloyd-Hayes and Gerald Dawe, who make the Alliance group, wanted their names recorded as having voted against the appointment of Coun Phillips. The seven abstentions went along party lines.

Coun Phillips re-appointed councillor June French as his deputy leader and confirmed that all previous cabinet councillors would keep their posts.

Councillor Philip Price joins the cabinet in a newly created post covering schools and ICT.

Coun John Stone was unanimously re-elected as council chairman and met with a standing ovation on assuming office. His deputy, Councillor Beris Williams, was also returned unopposed.