Wellingborough Council leader to continue for fifth year running

History was made as Wellingborough Council held its first ever virtual meeting and its last ever annual council meeting last night (Tuesday).

Councillors gathered via their screens to hold the first virtual meeting for the council which saw its current leader Cllr Martin Griffiths supported to represent the borough for the fifth year.

Cllr Tom Partridge-Underwood was also appointed as deputy leader.

Cllr Griffiths and Cllr Partridge-Underwood will work with fellow councillors through the council’s last year as a sovereign authority as preparations gather momentum for North

Northamptonshire Council on April 1, 2021.

Speaking about the coming year, Cllr Griffiths said: “I am honoured and privileged to continue to lead this council as we move forward with a really exciting and bitter sweet period in the borough’s history.

“I am proud to represent our borough now more than ever, as we come together to support our communities throughout this pandemic.

"I would like to thank everyone who has played a vital role in our local response, and we will now begin to focus on how we recover as a borough and move forwards together.

“It has been a pleasure to be part of the success of this council over the last 12 months as we have achieved a number of key milestones in the borough.

"Including the ongoing development of the town’s urban extensions at Stanton Cross and Glenvale Park, which provide much needed homes and facilities for our residents.

“We will continue to work together as a council to provide high-quality and value for money services for our residents.

“As we prepare for significant changes to local government in Northamptonshire, with the introduction of two new unitary councils in the North and West of the county, we will continue to

ensure that the views of our residents are paramount in every decision we make.”

The annual meeting took place just days after the Northants Telegraph reported that Cllr Griffiths faces a vote of no confidence over bullying accusations.

To read more about the group of Tories who have accused Cllr Griffiths of bringing the local party into disrepute, click here

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