ONE of just two independent councillors at Christchurch is set to become deputy mayor after the ruling Conservative group failed to formally put forward a candidate.

Independent councillor Fred Neale, who represents Jumpers ward, is likely to be approved for the role at a meeting of the full council in February.

It means he will almost certainly become mayor in 2016.

Unusually, the Conservative group had no candidate lodge a formal application for the prestigious role.

There are 22 Conservative councillors at Christchurch council and just two independent councillors.

The last independent mayor of Christchurch was Robert McArthur, who was the mayor for the millennium year.

Since then, all the mayors of Christchurch have been Tories.

Cllr Neale said: “I have put myself forward to be mayor in the past and each time someone else has come forward.

“I think the amount of work I do in the ward has enabled me to become a good candidate.

“I was told by the borough solicitor I was the only candidate that had completed the only application. So therefore by default, if it is approved at full council in February, I would be elected deputy mayor, provided I am re-elected at the council elections in May.”

He added: “Many of the Conservatives have been colleagues for eight years and of course we have worked together.

“I knew some of them before I was elected eight years ago and they know I have done quite a lot in the community.

“I am very pleased. They are the lead group and it is nice that they share it around.”

Leader of Christchurch council and the ruling Conservative group Councillor Ray Nottage told the Daily Echo he was not prepared to comment on the issue.

“I can’t go into those sort of details with you,” he said, referring to Conservative group issues. “It’s not sensible.”

Current deputy mayor, Conservative councillor Nick Geary is due to become mayor for the second time in May.

He will follow Tory councillor Denise Jones.

I won’t turn Tory: Neale

COUNCILLOR Neale, who is council heritage champion, refuted speculation over a move to the Tories following the council elections in May.

“I am standing in the election as an independent. If I stand as an independent I will see that term through the entire term,” he said.

“I do not believe that people should stand under one banner and then cross the field. In local government sometimes being under a political banner, you can’t be as free as you might like but being as independent I can be.”

Police commissioner supports ‘level playing field’ for those who stand without a party

DORSET’S police commissioner is offering support to independent candidates in the local and general elections in a bid to “level the playing field”.

Martyn Underhill, who successfully stood for police and crime commissioner as an independent, is keen to set up a network of support and advice for independent candidates across the county.

Together with Marianne Overton, the Local Government Association’s independent lead, he has arranged a networking event for independent candidates at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne at 7pm on Friday, February 13.

Both he and Marianne will give a short talk about police and council precepts and local support groups will be on hand to offer guidance and advice.

Mr Underhill said: “Independents struggle to be equal to the political parties during elections, and I want to try to rectify that and generate networking and peer support.

“During my election, I had no one to turn to for advice.

“All I want to see is a level playing field for all. This meeting will help achieve that.”

Bournemouth East independent candidate David Ross welcomed Mr Underhill’s support.

In Bournemouth, he has set up the Bournemouth Independent Alliance (BIA) for Independent candidates looking to stand in the borough.

“The two advantages of being part of a group is that you get a logo on the ballot paper and access to the voters’ list for a longer period,” he said.

“We exist exactly as a support group, we are there to provide a brand and support. We are not a political party.”