A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO RUN STOCKTON COUNCIL BETTER

Confirmed in her position as Leader of the 8-strong Liberal Democrat Group by its Members on Friday, following the results of the previous day's election, Councillor Maureen Rigg said,

For the first time for over a quarter of a century, the Labour Party has less than 40% of the seats on Stockton Council. By their votes the people of Stockton Borough have shown that they do not want their Council to be run as in a one-party state.

Everyone can see what we Liberal Democrats stand for, as our manifesto has been on our website (www.stockton.libdems.org.uk) since before the election. We are putting this on the table and are open to talk with all parties who are willing to work together for the good of the people of our Borough.

Liberal Democrat councillors chose as their Deputy Leader Councillor John Fletcher. Councillor Suzanne Fletcher is now Group Chairman, as her mayoral year comes to an end on May 23rd. Councillors Colin Leckonby and Julia Roberts remain as Group Secretaries and Councillor Lynne Apedaile as Vice-chairman.

Contrary to the report in Saturday's Evening Gazette, 8 Liberal Democrats and 11 members of Independent parties were elected - although the Mayor traditionally steps out of the political limelight for her year of office, the retiring Mayor was re-elected as a councillor as a Liberal Democrat, not as an independent.

John and Maureen had the highest vote of any councillors in the Borough.