Labour councillor lasts just 20 minutes as local authority's chairman

Ricky Rogers, the sole Labour representative on Wiltshire Council, held the position of interim chairman for just 20 minutes during the authority's annual meeting last week.

The councillor for Fisherton & Bemerton Village near Salisbury took the seat at the head of the cabinet bench before 96 fellow members on May 19.

"Thirty-seven years I've been coming into this chamber, and it's the first time I've sat in this chair," Mr Rogers remarked upon assuming the temporary role.

Both the outgoing chairman and vice chairman had stepped down, requiring an interim appointment to conduct elections for permanent replacements.

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Council chief executive Lucy Townsend confirmed the need for a temporary chair to manage the selection process for the coming year's leadership.

A secret ballot, requested by the Conservative group, saw Mr Rogers defeat Tory Howard Greenman from Kington ward by 51 votes to 45, with one member casting their vote for an unlisted candidate.

His sole duty was presiding over the chairman election for 2026/27, which pitted former chairman Laura Mayes against former vice chair Ruth Hopkinson.

The Tories again demanded a secret ballot, resulting in Ms Mayes securing victory by the slimmest of margins — 49 votes to 47, with a single abstention.

Upon stepping down after his brief tenure, Mr Rogers addressed members: "It's been an honour to serve as your chair and I am available next year."

Mr Mayes acknowledged the unexpected outcome, noting she had prepared farewell remarks rather than an acceptance speech.

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"It is a challenge to chair these meetings, particularly when things are so tight, but I want to thank everybody for how kind and supportive they've been during what's been a very tricky year," she said.

The council has operated without overall control since May 2025, with 43 Liberal Democrats governing in coalition with seven independents.

Ruth Hopkinson subsequently returned as vice chair, defeating Conservative Jerry Kunkler 49 to 38.

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