Councillor Lynne Hillan 'delighted' to hold on to position as leader of Barnet Council (From Times Series)

Councillor Lynne Hillan 'delighted' to hold on to position as leader of Barnet Council

10:42am Wednesday 8th September 2010 in

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THE re-elected leader of Barnet Council was “delighted” to see off a challenge by a Conservative colleague at the Party's AGM last night.

Beaming Councillor Lynne Hillan emerged from the meeting at Hendon Town Hall, in the Burroughs, at just after 10pm flanked by senior party members, and made only a short statement to the Times Series.

She said she “looked forward” to continuing her work on the council and welcomed the support of colleagues during the three hour meeting.

Cllr Hillan faced a challenge to her leadership from Councillor Mark Shooter after he became angered by plans to increase the allowances of cabinet members and the leader.

She has since announced those rises will not be pushed through and is due to formally reverse the decision at the meeting of full council next week.

Opponents to her leadership have claimed there is a culture of “bullying” within the administration, and had hoped for a change at the top to provide more openness in the process of politics within the borough.

But in a brief statement, Cllr Hillan said: “I am delighted that I am still leader of the the group and I look forward to taking the council forward.”

The results of the private leadership ballot, held in the main council chamber, have not been released.

A motion of no confidence against Cllr Hillan has been tabled by the leader of the Barnet Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Jack Cohen, and is on the agenda to be heard at next week's meeting of full council.