The first meeting of the newly-elected B&NES Council should have been a formality, but in an unprecedented move, the Lib-Dems overrode almost a decade and a half of convention and rejected the Conservatives’ candidate for Vice-Chair, putting their own candidate in place. Whilst on the face of it, this may seem like a ‘storm in a tea cup’ with politicians squabbling, opposition Councillors have claimed there could be massive implications.

Cllr Paul Myers, Leader of B&NES Conservative Group, said: “In order for B&NES Council to function properly, it is essential that the Chair of the meetings is impartial and neutral. For the last fourteen years, each political party has nominated a candidate in turn each year, thereby ensuring that the Chair does not simply reflect the ruling party at the time.

“Despite having spent two weeks agreeing the Conservative candidate would go forward, the Lib-Dems changed their minds only minutes before the meeting was due to start last week. The Conservative nominee, Cllr Lisa O’Brien, faced the humiliation of standing down from the podium, but the key question remains – why the U-turn?”

It is understood that following an announcement in the media made by Dine Romero that the Lib-Dems are planning to re-open the Clean Air Policy, the other political parties in B&NES were concerned by the prospect of the previous decision being overturned and also wasted costs – an estimated £100,000, which is unbudgeted, and unlikely to be reclaimable from central government.

Therefore, Labour, supported by the Conservatives, had prepared a motion asking for various elements of the original decision to be confirmed – most significantly on the issue of not charging cars to come into Bath.

Labour group Leader, Cllr Robin Moss, said his party had been asked to withdraw a motion on the Clean Air Zone, because the Council’s Annual General Meeting is meant to be non-political.

Midsomer Norton Conservative Councillor, Michael Evans, went further and said Labour had been the victim of “straightforward blackmail”, claiming the Lib-Dems would otherwise have refused to support Westfield Councillor, Eleanor Jackson’s nomination as Chair.

After a separate vote, Labour’s Councillor Jackson will be the Chairman for 2019/20 after having served in the Deputy role for the past year.

Speaking after the meeting, Paul Myers added: “Why, with a massive majority, do the Lib-Dems feel they need to undermine the position of the Chair and seek to supress discussion on Clean Air in the Council Chamber?

“Following the consultation on Clean Air, our then Conservative Administration listened to the people and ruled out charging cars £9 to come into any Bath Clean Air Zone. The fear now is that the Lib-Dems are seeking to reverse this policy, which could have a catastrophic effect on the local economy, hitting the least well-off hardest with a knock-on effect on businesses who rely on employees being able to commute into the city.”

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr O’Brien expressed her disappointment at missing out on the role, and said the Conservatives had appointed Lib-Dems and Independents when they had been in power.

“I was looking forward to the role,” she said. “I’ve always aspired to it. This leaves a rather bad taste in the mouth.”

B&NES Council Leader, Lib-Dem Dine Romero revealed her new cabinet, which will see Cllr Richard Samuel as cabinet member for resources, Cllr Kevin Guy responsible for children’s services, while Cllr Appleyard will take on adult services. Cllr Tim Ball’s remit will be housing, planning and economic development, and Cllr Paul Crossley is the cabinet member for community services. Climate change and neighbourhood services will be shared between Sarah Warren and David Wood. Transport services will be shared by Neil Butters and Joanna Wright.

The Lib-Dems are introducing job shares, which Cllr Romero said will be at no extra cost to the taxpayer, with a ‘two for one’ deal on key roles within the Council.

Commenting on the AGM, Cllr Paul Crossley said: “It seems that other political groups on the Council are more interested in rehashing the election campaign than in delivering change for the people of Bath & North East Somerset.

“I’m unsure whether many residents are actually that interested in who ends up being the Vice-Chair of Council for the civic year 2019 to 2020.”