Promoted by Nicola Dinan at Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP, on behalf of Reform UK at the same address. Reform UK Hertsmere is an approved local branch of Reform UK.
Reform UK Hertsmere Submits Motion of No Confidence | Reform UK Hertsmere
Reform UK Hertsmere Submits Motion of No Confidence
Reform UK councillors have submitted a Motion of No Confidence in the Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, calling for stable leadership, better decision-making and a renewed focus on residents.
Article Summary
At a Glance
The key points you need to know.
What This Means For Residents
The motion seeks to establish leadership capable of commanding the confidence of the Council during a crucial period for Hertsmere. Its proposed priorities include protecting services, improving planning governance, delivering a lawful Local Plan, maintaining sound finances and preparing responsibly for Local Government Reorganisation. Council services continue operating as normal while the motion awaits consideration.
Key Facts
✓Reform UK councillors have submitted a Motion of No Confidence in Council Leader Cllr Jeremy Newmark.
✓The motion follows the Bushey Park by-election, after which the administration no longer commands majority support among elected councillors.
✓The proposal includes establishing a Strategic Alignment Administration for the remainder of Hertsmere Borough Council’s term.
✓The proposed arrangement would invite cooperation between political groups without requiring them to form a formal coalition.
✓Its priorities include the Local Plan, planning governance, frontline services, sound finances, accountability and Local Government Reorganisation.
✓Submitting the motion does not automatically remove the Council Leader; it must be considered and decided by councillors at Full Council.
What Happens Next
The Motion of No Confidence will be considered by Hertsmere Borough Council in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.
If councillors support the motion, a new Leader would be elected and asked to establish a Strategic Alignment Administration. The new Leader would then present a Strategic Alignment Programme to Full Council within 28 days.
Until the Council makes its decision, the current leadership and administration remain in place and council services continue as normal.
The Full Story
Reform UK councillors at Hertsmere Borough Council have formally submitted a Motion of No Confidence in the Council Leader, Cllr Jeremy Newmark.
The motion follows the Bushey Park by-election, after which the current administration no longer commands the support of a majority of elected councillors.
Reform UK Hertsmere believes the Council must now respond to that change and demonstrate that it has leadership capable of commanding the confidence of Full Council.
However, the proposal is not simply about replacing one administration with another.
Alongside the Motion of No Confidence, Reform UK has proposed the creation of a Strategic Alignment Administration for the remainder of Hertsmere Borough Council’s term.
This would invite all political groups represented on the Council to work constructively together on a limited programme of shared priorities, while retaining their separate political identities and freedom to vote according to their own principles.
Why has the motion been submitted?
Hertsmere is entering a critical period.
The Council must deliver a robust, legally compliant and evidence-based Local Plan while also preparing for Local Government Reorganisation and the transition to the new South West Hertfordshire unitary authority.
Reform UK Hertsmere believes these major challenges require stable, transparent and accountable leadership, supported by a majority of councillors.
The motion also states that public confidence has been weakened by recent governance and planning challenges. It calls for a more collaborative approach focused on responsible decision-making and the long-term interests of Hertsmere.
A packed Full Council agenda includes major decisions on development, planning, community facilities and local governance — with Reform UK’s Motion of No Confidence in the Leader waiting at Item 31.
With substantial unfinished business from July also ahead of it, there is a real question over whether councillors will actually reach the motion before the Council’s guillotine procedure comes into play.
Here’s our plain-English guide to what’s happening, what matters to residents — and why Item 31 will be one to watch.
The proposed Strategic Alignment Administration would not be a formal political coalition.
Each political group would retain its own identity, policies and independence. However, all groups would be invited to cooperate where there is agreement on the Council’s most important priorities.
The proposed administration would focus on:
✓Delivering a robust, legally compliant and evidence-based Local Plan
✓Restoring confidence in planning governance
✓Protecting and improving frontline services
✓Maintaining sound financial management and value for money
✓Strengthening openness, accountability and communication
✓Preparing responsibly for Local Government Reorganisation
The motion makes clear that no political group should seek to govern alone if it cannot command the confidence of a majority of elected councillors.
Residents before party politics
Cllr Caroline Clapper, Leader of the Reform UK group at Hertsmere Borough Council, said:
“Following the Bushey Park by-election, the current administration no longer has the support of a majority of councillors. At a time when Hertsmere faces Local Government Reorganisation and the delivery of a lawful Local Plan, residents deserve stable and accountable leadership.
“This proposal is about putting residents first, restoring confidence in the Council, and working constructively across political groups to deliver for Hertsmere during this important period of transition.”
The motion asks councillors to declare that they no longer have confidence in the current Leader and, following the election of a new Leader under the Council’s Constitution, establish the Strategic Alignment Administration.
The newly elected Leader would then be asked to present a Strategic Alignment Programme to Full Council within 28 days, setting out the proposed governance arrangements, priorities and preparations for Local Government Reorganisation.
The submission of the motion does not itself remove or replace the Council Leader. Councillors will decide whether to support it when it is considered by Full Council.
