South Norfolk Council Liberal Democrat Group

South Norfolk Council

The Liberal Democrat Group on South Norfolk Council works to improve the quality of life of all residents of the District. Since taking overall control of the Council in 1995 Liberal Democrats have changed the way the council operates as well as improving key services in a number of significant areas. One theme that has underpinned all these changes has been an attempt to consult the public at every stage and establish residents' views on Council services.

At the first SNC elections in 1973 two Liberal councillors (out of a total of 47) were elected and this was reduced to one in 1979. Harleston is the only ward that has had unbroken Liberal/Liberal Democrat representation. In 1983 five Liberal Alliance councillors were returned and in 1987 this number was increased to 16. The big breakthrough came in 1991 when 22 Liberal Democrats were elected, exactly the same number as the Conservatives, with three Independent councillors holding the balance of power for the next four years. Then, in 1995, Liberal Democrats achieved majority control for the first time with 30 members and, in spite of a drop to 27, control was retained in 1999. Control was retained in May 2003 under new ward boundaries with 46 members. The balance is now 27 Liberal Democrats and 19 Conservatives. Both the previous Labour councillors lost their seats and no Green or Independent candidates were elected.

For every election since 1983 the Liberal Democrats have fought on the basis of published manifesto that sets out their plans for running the Council. The manifesto is determined at a district-wide conference in which all local Liberal Democrats can participate.

Unlike some other local authorities, where a third of the council seats are contested in three of the four years that make up the life of the council, members of South Norfolk Council are elected all together once every four years. The next elections will be held in May 2007. Liberal Democrat Campaign for South Norfolk Council 2007

More detailed information on the services and activities of the Council can be found on the South Norfolk Council web site.

Your District Councillor

You can find out who your local District Councillor is by selecting the name of your parish on our Contacts page.

Group structure

The group operates under a locally developed set of Standing Orders. A critical part of these rules recognises the right of any member to vote against group policy decisions on the grounds of personal conscience or the over-riding needs of a member's ward. There is thus no formal group whip.

The Group were joint runners up in the 1999 Liberal Democrat's national 'Council Group of the Year' competition. The only council group to be placed ahead of them was Liverpool City Council.