STORY
Hillingdon Council’s new leader has set out his priorities for the borough after the Conservatives strengthened their position at this month’s local elections. Councillor Steve Tuckwell, the former MP who has replaced Ian Edwards as Conservative leader of the council, said the party had retained public support because it had offered a clear plan for local services.
Tuckwell said the Conservatives had increased their vote share and majorities in their strongest wards, while Labour and Reform UK had both failed to make the breakthrough they had hoped for. He said the administration would continue to focus on high quality and value for money services, with the new leadership now seeking to define its programme for the next four years.
The new leader was also questioned over the controversy surrounding Cowley Meeting Hall, after earlier reports revealed that the council had planned to write off money owed by a former Conservative councillor. The council later changed course and said it would pursue all routes to recover the debt, leaving the issue as one of the first scrutiny tests for the new administration.