Reading Council consists of 22 Labour councillors, 22 coalition councillors and two Green councillors, giving the Greens the balance of power. They decided against going into coalition with any party, choosing instead to vote on a case-by-case basis over the year, in accordance with their priorities [1]. At the mayor-making meeting they did not block Labour's formation of a minority administration. At a full council meeting they can vote with Labour to give them a majority, or they can vote with the coalition to give the coalition a majority.
Some of the Green councillors' successes during their first 100 days holding the balance of power include:
Green Deputy Leader Councillor Melanie Eastwood commented:
"Since the elections we have been working hard both in council meetings and in the ward with our 2012 candidate Jamie Whitham to secure the best deal for residents.
"I am convinced that not going into coalition with anyone and voting on a case-by-case basis was the right decision to make.
"Even in the first hundred days we have had some good successes on some of our priorities on both ward and Borough wide issues. These successes would not have been possible if we had allowed the coalition to remain in control of the council.
"Don't worry though, we aren't getting complacent. There is still a long way to go, and Reading people can be sure that we will keep working hard with them, tackling priorities one step at a time."
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Notes
For more information please contact Rob White on 07985 923938 or 0118 9667183.
1. Click here for a full list of Reading Greens' priorities.