“I can assure the people of West Norfolk that this administration will represent all of you.”
Those are the words of new borough council leader Terry Parish, whose Independent group has partnered with the Greens and Liberal Democrats to form our first non-Conservative administration in 20 years.
Since being elected at full council a fortnight ago, Cllr Parish has experienced a “big learning curve” in terms of getting used to his new role.
However, speaking to the Lynn News, he has been able to outline his group’s vision for the next four years – and possibly beyond.
He feels that having 18 Independent councillors in the leading party will benefit residents as decisions will not be made based on any party lines, with “nobody standing up at meetings to say ‘vote this way’”.
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“There’s an old expression that a change is as good as a rest. I know we’ll bring a different perspective on matters,” Cllr Parish said.
“The intention is, and it is working through at the moment, that critical decisions will be made before it ever gets to council – so there won’t be an argy-bargy from my members in council, because we’ll have sorted that all out before.
“They’re bringing to the table not only their own opinions, but the opinions of the people in their ward who elected them.”
By the time the borough council’s new cabinet meets for the first time on June 27, the new leader hopes to have a “skeleton” of its proposed policies drawn up.
In the meantime, he has highlighted some key aims he hopes to achieve in the coming term – with “clarity and transparency” an overarching theme.
Cllr Parish has been frustrated at times by the lack of voice the Independents received while serving as an opposition group. He referenced the Lynn Town Deal, which he feels could have been handled differently.
“If similar situations arise again, I will ensure that there is representation by all interested parties and that people aren’t cut out of it,” he said.
“Anything that goes on in Lynn, it’s the people in Lynn that need to decide matters – rather than having things done to them.”
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“Effective governance” and “financial stability” are also high on his agenda – with reducing the council’s reliance on economic reserves deemed necessary – while he also hopes to give more credit to officers going forwards.
The new council will also be looking to improve key services such as bin collections and healthcare, while Cllr Parish personally hopes to both encourage more farming and food production in the borough.
Improving biodiversity among wildlife and reducing the number of second homes throughout West Norfolk are also top priorities of his.
He is particularly passionate about the growing amount of second homes, believing that too many properties lie empty in the winter during a time when many are struggling to find affordable accommodation.
Should the Government look to clamp down on Airbnb owners, he said he would back that move.
And Cllr Parish believes his new cabinet, made up of eight Independents and one Green member, is well equipped to achieve those goals.
A “written agreement” has also been reached with Labour group leader Charles Joyce where they can join in with debates both at cabinet level and with officers.
“He has the right to attend some meetings, so he can see what’s going on,” Cllr Parish said.
And what on worries from Conservative councillors that the 40% of residents who voted Tory during the recent local elections will not be represented by the new administration?
“You could argue that that half of West Norfolk didn’t have a say for four years. That was reinforced by the fact we didn’t have significant positions in council either,” Cllr Parish added.
“This time, I can’t say that Conservatives have got many significant positions because as part of the agreement with Labour, which is fair enough, the positions have been shared out between us and Labour.
“I can assure the people of West Norfolk that this administration will represent all of you.”
Cllr Parish has been the leader of West Norfolk’s Independents for around three and a half years, having joined the borough council seven years ago as ward member for Heacham.
He describes himself as a “pure Independent”, and says that it was almost a “pure accident” that he ended up on the council to begin with.
Cllr Jim Moriarty, who is now Cllr Parish’s deputy leader, led the Independents back then before the pair switched roles.
So despite the somewhat unorthodox way he has ascended to heading up a new council, is he the right man for the new role?
“People keep telling me I am – for this particular job, in this particular administration, at this moment in time,” he answered.
“I believe I’m the person to get this thing going and start it now. Whether I’m the person to maintain it will be open for debate.
“What I am confident of, because I’m confident in the cabinet, is there’s three or four people in the cabinet who could take over the job.
“I think that’s healthy. I don’t think a leader should stay a leader just because they want to be a leader.”