A NEW leader has been appointed to take charge of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) following a dramatic full council meeting.

During the meeting held on Thursday, May 18, the leader of the Basingstoke Independent Forum, Cllr Paul Harvey, was appointed as the council’s new leader.

This comes after the elections on Thursday, May 4, resulted in no party having a voting majority.

At the council meeting, a motion to remove Cllr Simon Minas-Bound as leader and replace him with Cllr Harvey was successful.  

READ MORE: Recap: Updates as new borough council leader appointed after administration change

This will be the second time in the role for Cllr Harvey, who last had the role in the 2005/2006 council year. It also marks the end of a 17-year reign of a Conservative lead administration.

Speaking at the meeting on his win, he said: "Basingstoke and Deane have been a one-party administration for the last 17 years. Today that changes. People have voted for better, they have given us their trust and we will strive to repay it. This is a new chapter in our town and a new chapter which brings in our administration, an administration I am proud to lead with my colleagues jointly together. There is no doubt, Mr Mayor, that the people of Basingstoke and Deane rejected the old regime, some have made some quite disgusting personal attacks. 

"That proves a point really that this borough does deserve better and if all you have to justify your 17 years in power is the kind of attacks both on social media and in this chamber then I am sorry that speaks volumes. 

"I call you out for the bullies that you are and this has got to stop."

He thanked Cllr Minas-Bound for his service to the borough.

SEE ALSO: Former Basingstoke Labour leader 'surprised' to lose leadership role

Before the motion was carried Cllr Simon Minas-Bound spoke out, he said: "When considering this motion I would like to suggest we should all consider the impact of it on our residents. Not the politics of it.

"We should consider the pieces of work which were created by the ability, and the importance, to listen to the wide views across this chamber. "

The biggest shock of the night came when the former Conservative leader Cllr Ken Rhatigan turned on his own party.

He said "The recycling of Cllr Harvey as leader was a brave move but it is our fault that we are here. The Conservatives both locally and nationally have forgotten what made us Conservatives."

He continued: "My replacement (Cllr Minas-Bound) said all things will change when he became leader and he was right. He managed to lose a 12-seat majority and it has left this borough without a clear direction of where to go."

READ ALSO: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Labour Group elect new leader

Conservative councillor and former deputy leader John Izett spoke against the motion, he added: "I oppose this motion. Deciding on a council leader and cabinet is a big decision for all councillors with major consequences for how this council and its services to local people are run. As a newly re-elected councillor, I am proud of the record achievement of this Conservative administration.

"I accept that tonight we must find a solution to there being no one party in overall control but as a member of the group who remains by far the largest I hope we can find a way forward."

The Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Gavin James was announced as the deputy leader but will be known as co-leader, and he will also be the cabinet member for finance, business and property.