Gubby defiant in confidence vote

Cllr Gubby repelled a motion of no confidence tabled by the Liberal Democrat opposition group and received widespread support from colleagues who rejected the motion by 25 votes to six.

Three independents voted with the Tories while the three Labour members abstained.

The Rother leader staunchly defended his position and listed the "tremendous achievements" during his tenure.

Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Sue Prochak, gave her reasons for the charge against Rother's leadership.

"Our challenge is in both the style and substance of Rother's leadership. There is a confusion of roles with the leader turning the role into an executive rather than a strategic one.

"The result is leadership is seen as a full-time job discouraging others from either contributing or taking on the role. The style is autocratic with little opportunity for informed debate and any challenge is seen as an opportunity to attack or bully.

"Since this administration of Rother District Council came into being, there has been a continuous stream of adverse and negative publicity against Rother. It reached it's pinnacle when, at the time of the last council meeting, the Battle Observer printed 20 letters against Rother's leadership, the Bexhill Observer seven. Many of these letters were from known Conservative supporters."

Cllr Prochak attacked proposals to either "close or pass on the cost of public conveniences" and the "farcical and expensive attempts to consult on the developments of Bexhill seafront."

She added: "Perhaps the most damaging effect is the loss of trust and confidence of the parish and town councils, a partnership built up over many years.

"There is an equal loss of confidence in Rother to make decisions of no regret. You need to look no further than the letters pages in the Observer to find evidence from residents for this."

The claims were refuted by furious Conservative members, who flocked to their leader's defence.

Cllr Deirdre Williams said: "I understand the frustration the Liberal Democrats feel when facing such a massive Conservative majority.

"But I cannot help but feel the real frustration and maybe why they are aiming the attack at Cllr Gubby is that she (Cllr Prochak) will never stand in his place."

Cllr Ian Jenkins said: "The leader of this council has never shirked his duties, he always considers the good of our total community."

Labour councillor Helen Bridger abstained from the vote, but pleaded with dissatisfied Tories to, "have the courage to stand up and say it," rather than hide behind the political opposition.

A seemingly relaxed Cllr Gubby argued that under his stewardship, Rother citizens have enjoyed a better quality of life - he cited the securing of second home council tax funding, improved child care, reduction in the fear of crime, increased parking for Bexhill and the continuing support against landfill in Turkey Road as successes.

He also highlighted the recent Comprehensive Performance Assessment of the council, which stated the leadership was 'strong' and 'pivotal'.

Cllr Gubby concluded: "I stand here not in defence, I stand here in defiance and with a tremendous sense of pride in what this council has achieved, and will continue to achieve under my leadership."