Councillor who quit Lib Dems over Shropshire rally event decision rejoins and hopes 'to put it behind us'

A councillor who quit the Liberal Democrats after Shropshire Council gave the green light for a motor rally has re-joined the group now the event has happened.

The Hills Ford Stages event - run by Cheltenham Motor Club - took place over the weekend (September 19 and 20), kicking off with a ceremonial event in Shrewsbury town centre.

Chris Naylor, who represents Burnell, was upset that the council didn't take on board the views of people in Church Pulverbatch, who were angry that the Dorrington stage of the rally went through a working farm.

Following the council cabinet's decision to grant the necessary orders for the rally to go ahead, Councillor Naylor quit the ruling Lib Dems, saying he felt he had “failed" Church Pulverbatch residents.

"We were told in writing Pulverbatch wouldn't be included - road closures mean no speed limit, and the Pulverbatch route goes right through the middle of a busy working farm," said Councillor Naylor, who subsequently became an independent member.

“The Lib Dems and staff are doing a great job to keep the show on the road in tough times, but this particular decision to overrule pretty unanimous community views goes right against my Lib Dem values."

But now Councillor Naylor is back with the group, saying he is keen to put differences of opinion aside.

“I'm delighted to have been welcomed back to the Lib Dem group on council, and pleased that this past weekend the new rally event here has by and large gone pretty well," he said this week.

“But I felt I had to 'step aside' from the Lib Dem administration because - though two of my Burnell parishes supported the rally, and I sought to help them - I thought the rally, and cabinet, had got it wrong in Pulverbatch parish, approving the rally's proposed route right through the middle of a busy working Burnell farm.

“After months of toing and froing, I'm pleased the rally has just agreed on Friday not to try to route through this farm next year.

“Having helped achieve that I'm keen to put this difference of opinion behind us. Meanwhile, as chair of finance and improvement scrutiny, I'm 100 per cent committed to our 'critical friend' role, supporting and challenging the Lib Dem administration to get the council out of the awful financial mess we've inherited.

"I'm adding in an extra scrutiny meeting on October 12 to ensure we're doing all we can to help tackle the council's key financial challenges."

The council’s deputy leader, Councillor Alex Wagner, added: “Chris is a hugely valued colleague and I’m delighted to welcome him back to the Liberal Democrat group. We’ve always respected his determination to stand up for the communities he represents, even where that means challenging us.

“We’re a broad and open group, and disagreements from time to time are healthy. What matters is that we can work through them constructively and then move forward together.

“Chris has a particularly important role as chair of finance and improvement scrutiny, providing robust challenge as we tackle the enormous financial difficulties we inherited. I’m really pleased to have him back in the team.”