Three cabinet members on Babergh District Council's front bench have resigned after one of their group was dismissed from their portfolio role this week.

Independent Ganges ward councillor Derek Davis was dismissed from the cabinet on Tuesday over apparent concerns from Conservative group members about his role as editor of the Nub News websites in Suffolk and "personal" comments voiced in a column by an anonymous commentator.

The Independent group met on Tuesday night to discuss the situation, and on Wednesday the three remaining Independents on the cabinet – Clive Arthey, Alastair McCraw and Elisabeth Malvisi opted to resign from their front bench roles.

It leaves five Conservatives and one Liberal Democrat in the cabinet as it stands.

Lavenham councillor and Independent group leader Clive Arthey had been deputy leader and cabinet member for planning since the 2019 local elections.

He cited the cabinet reshuffle last year as part of a u-turn on reducing free parking which saw two more Conservatives join the front bench, and said: "The Independent group, and particularly those on cabinet, have tried to accommodate these changes whilst being aware they constituted a shift from the original arrangements for the joint administration."

Cllr Arthey said the dismissal of Cllr Davis "not related to any failing on Derek's part regarding his portfolio" meant he felt he "cannot continue to serve on a cabinet that no longer seems to respect the involvement and contribution of its Independent councillors".

Cllr McCraw stepped down from the customer services, digital transformation and improvement portfolio. In his letter to Conservative leader John Ward he said there was a "disruptive party political element" in the cabinet now.

"Being unable to make your own decisions as leader now, you have made it clear that the ongoing intention is to serve narrow Conservative party interests first, presumably in preparation for the 2023 election," he wrote.

Cllr Elisabeth Malvisi, who held the portfolio for climate change, biodiversity and sustainable transport has also stepped down.

She also cited cabinet changes last year, adding: "This arrangement has not been working well and yesterday to hear of Cllr Davis' removal from cabinet because the Conservative group do not like the fact he is employed as a journalist is just beyond the pale.

"In my opinion it is an attack on free speech, a shocking position for a political group to uphold."

The council has only once had an overall majority since 1974, making a single-party cabinet more difficult to achieve.

The council leader has the ability to appoint or dismiss cabinet members, with a minimum of three cabinet members (including the leader) required to function as an administration.

Conservative leader John Ward said another couple of councillors would likely to be needed on the cabinet.

He said: "I will have to put together a minority administration for the last year until the election.

"I am very much a consensus person, and I do recognise that Babergh traditionally doesn't go for single party control. 

"Following the 2019 election I was able to put together a stable, working coalition over the past few years, and I am just very sad that it couldn't hold for the remaining year.

"I do think the key problem is the matter of parking charges in Sudbury and Hadleigh. That has been the most toxic issue we have ever faced.

"As a result of Covid, the Conservatives changed their mind and decided to proceed with parking charges as they are and go for an indefinite postponement of short-term charges. That didn't go down well with everyone and I do understand that.

"But I have to abide by the group's decision on that. I am sure at some point in the future it will need to be revisited."

A revamped cabinet is likely to be announced within the next week.

https://hadleigh.nub.news/n/cllr-elisabeth-malvisi-open-resignation-letter-to-john-ward-in-full

Alastair McCraw's resignation letter in full.

Derek Davis removed from Cabinet role

Why Derek Davis refused to compromise principles and integrity under Tory pressure...