Councillors who left forming new company

The group of Uppingham town councillors who quit due to concerns over a conflict of interest between the council and a linked company have set up their own initiative.

When the group of seven quit the town council in the summer due to their frustrations over links with Uppingham First, it could have been the end of their community service.

Tom Johnson, Godfrey Jennings, Pete Rees, Pat Dalby, Sam Findlay, Mike Fish and Ray Sutton all resigned, with some having served on the authority for decades.

A meeting however to discuss a way forward has ended with some of the former town councillors deciding to set up their own action group to organise community events for the town. 

The new venture is called Uppingham Matters and will host a series of events next year, with the town’s first Pride event on the agenda.

Some other events they have been considering include a bed race, flower show and film nights.

An anonymous donation of £200 has enabled the group to set up its own bank account and there will be meetings held twice a year to organise events. The chairperson will be rotated with Lynne Pewtress appointed as the secretary and Pat Dalby as treasurer.

Meanwhile Uppingham First, which runs the town’s hopper service, has been undergoing changes. Founder Ron Simpson has stood down from the organisation but remains a town councillor.