South Tyneside Council to review committee appointments following Reform UK councillor resignation
A review of committee appointments is set to take place at South Tyneside Council after an elected members leaves Reform UK.
South Tyneside Council has confirmed that it will review committee appointments after a councillor resigned from the borough’s Reform UK group.
Cllr Alex Barr, of the Primrose ward, ‘voluntarily resigned’ from the party on Tuesday, August 11, and will now sit as an independent councillor.
The reason for Cllr Barr’s resignation is unknown at the time of writing and was announced on social media by Cllr Paul Mackings, Leader of South Tyneside Council.
Reviewing committee appointments
By law, councils must review political balance arrangements when there is a change in group membership and if necessary, committee places must be reallocated as soon as practicable to reflect the revised composition of South Tyneside Council.
A spokesperson for South Tyneside Council said: "Councillor Barr has notified the Council that he has resigned from Reform UK and will continue to serve as an Independent Councillor.
"Reform UK remains the majority group on South Tyneside Council.
"The change requires a review of committee appointments to ensure they reflect the new political balance.
“Any proposed changes to committee appointments will be considered at the next meeting of Borough Council."
South Tyneside Council’s leader speaks on social media
Speaking on social media, Cllr Mackings commented: "Cllr Alex Barr has today [Tuesday, August 11] resigned voluntarily from the South Tyneside Reform UK Group.
“Cllr Barr will continue to represent Primrose ward as an independent councillor until further notice.
“Reform UK will not be making further comment on this matter.”
Cllr Barr’s resignation from the Reform UK group means that the political composition of South Tyneside Council is as follows:
- Reform UK: 40 councillors.
- Green Party: 10 councillors.
- Independent: Three councillors.
- Labour Party: One councillor.
Cllr Barr becomes the second South Tyneside Reform UK councillor to resign from the party since the historic local elections in May, which saw Reform win 41 seats.
Reform UK councillor Alex Clarke, who was elected in the Harton ward, stepped down just weeks into the role following reports of offensive comments made on a podcast, which Clarke described as a comedy‑based show.
Clarke’s resignation meant that there was a by-election in the Harton ward, which was won last Thursday (August 6) by Reform UK candidate Katie Groom.
The Shields Gazette has contacted Cllr Alex Barr for a comment.