news story

7th May 2008

Cllr Sarah Turley Joins Lib Dem Group on South Glos Council

Cllr Turley (second from left) is welcomed by (l to r) Cllr Marilyn Palmer, Cllr Ruth Davis and local MP Steve Webb

Councillor Sarah Turley (Boyd Valley) has announced her decision to resign from the Conservative group on South Gloucestershire Council and has joined the Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Turley said:

"When I stood for election last year I was determined to stand up for my local community. Unfortunately, over the last year I have found that my work has been undermined by members of the Conservative group on the Council.  In particular, when I wanted to speak up on behalf of local residents against the in-vessel composter, I was discouraged from doing so.

"At the same time I have worked closely with community campaigners, many of whom are members of the local Liberal Democrats, and this is the way that I want to work. I feel that I can no longer serve local people most effectively as a member of the Conservative group.

"I have decided that I can most effectively do my work as a community campaigner by joining the Liberal Democrats. I look forward to working alongside local MP Steve Webb and Cllr Marilyn Palmer in standing up for the people of Boyd Valley over the coming years".

Lib Dem group leader Ruth Davis said:

"We very much welcome Sarah to the team. She is a very capable and respected councillor and shares our commitment to the environment and to standing up for her local community. We welcome her to the group".


Notes:


1. Cllr Turley is a mother of three and lives in Pucklechurch. She is chair of the newly-formed Boyd Valley 'Safer and Stronger Communities Group', is a member of Pucklechurch and Wick parish councils and is a keen environmental campaigner.

2. Within the Thornbury & Yate constituency there are now 20 Liberal Democrat councillors and 2 Conservatives.