The Liberal Democrats on Wiltshire Council have announced their “plan to replace” the Conservative leadership at next May’s elections.

Ian Thorn, the leader of the group, has declared the county “needs change”, whilst Wiltshire Council’s current leader, Richard Clewer, has said the Conservatives have set “a clear direction” for the council.

Cllr Thorn has named the members of his party’s shadow cabinet, each specialising in one or more of the council’s responsibilities, mirroring the cabinet roles now occupied by Conservatives.

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Wiltshire Council elections and town and parish council elections will take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025.Wiltshire Council elections and town and parish council elections will take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Image: Jessica Moriarty) Cllr Thorn will remain leader, also working on communications, transformation and governance; Cllr Gordon King will be deputy leader, specialising in adult social care and SEND; Cllr Gavin Grant will be responsible for finance, human resources and information technology; Cllr Adrian Foster will work on planning and housing; Cllr Stewart Palmen will specialise in children’s services, education and skills; Cllr Helen Belcher will look after enterprise, innovation and the economy; Cllr Mel Jacob with be responsible for communities (including capacity building in the voluntary sector), partnerships, engagement with the public, libraries, leisure and culture; Cllr Sam Charleston will work on waste, the climate emergency and public protection; Cllr Richard Budden will focus on transport and highways; and Cllr Clare Cape will specialise in public health and co-ordination with the NHS.

Cllr Thorn said: “This is a very strong team with deep experience that the members have gained as councillors, professionals and volunteers.

“We will hold the Conservative leadership to account until next May’s elections when we plan to replace them. 

“Wiltshire needs change. It needs more affordable and sustainable homes in the right places.

“It needs safer roads that are better maintained, with faster action on potholes.

“It needs better partnerships between councils and community groups.

“It needs a high-quality youth service.

“It needs a stronger county-wide campaign to cut carbon, reduce pollution and preserve our environment.

“And it needs leadership that listens more to the voices and views of Wiltshire’s people."

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He added: “Over the next six months we will set out our plans to transform Wiltshire Council for the benefit of our residents, so watch this space.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Clewer said: “Residents should judge politicians not on what they say about change but on what they actually do. 

“Wiltshire’s Liberal Democrats say they want more investment in roads, yet voted against the extra £10 million investment in repairing Wiltshire’s roads put forward by Conservatives in the 2024/25 budget. 

“The Liberal Democrats also say they want a stronger campaign to cut carbon emissions. 

“The only way Wiltshire Council can escalate this, without government funding, would be through taking action to force residents out of their cars, something that Wiltshire Conservatives will not do; we understand how critical cars are to the economic function of our county and our ability to live our lives. 

“Liberal Democrats want to reduce pollution yet proposed cutting funding for enforcement action, designed to reduce environmental pollution and harm, in the last Council budget. 

“In the same budget, Wiltshire Conservatives funded a new innovative project to measure air quality in our villages, as well as our towns.”

“Wiltshire Council is in a good place, we are not cutting services, like most councils, but are investing in them instead.”

Cllr Clewer also noted that Children’s Services had been rated Outstanding by Ofsted and the council had been named the seventh most productive council in the country by Impower.

He added that the council’s financial position shouldn’t be risked “in the hands” of the Liberal Democrats.

He concluded: “We will continue to competently deliver effective and efficient services whilst building 1,200 new council houses, trebling gully cleaning, significantly increasing pothole repairs all whilst providing major investment in our roads, leisure centres and libraries.”