Councillor Paul Rogers leaves Conservative group on Wrexham Council to become unaligned councillor

Brymbo’s councillor Paul Rogers has left the Conservative group on Wrexham Council.

Cllr Rogers has told us:  “Colleagues for some time have been aware of my intentions to take a break from being active in party politics and sit as an Independent Councillor for Brymbo”

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Conservative Party and I would also like to thank the Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader who both have my full support.”

Earlier this afternoon we enquired to the leader of the Conservative group Cllr Hugh Jones on Wrexham Council over the circumstances of Cllr Rogers moving to ‘unaligned‘ status, he told: “Paul has resigned, it was his decision, and it is amicable, on behalf of the Group I would like to thank Paul for all his work and support over the years and wish him well for the future.”

Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones has been made Deputy Leader of the Conservatives group.

In February Cllr Rogers stepped down from the Executive Board where he held the role as Lead Member for Youth Services and Anti-poverty. At the time Cllr Rogers had indicated he was unimpressed about possible proposals for gypsy and traveller sites in the then forthcoming Local Development Plan (LDP).

Although not clear that the move is LDP related but it does come a few days after a key vote on the issue (our report is here) where the Conservative group was split.

At the LDP vote he was seated with the Conservative group – with his then group members Cllrs Atkinson, Gilmartin, Morris, Paul Roberts all voting for the LDP.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Parry-Jones and Wallice all voted against the LDP, along with Cllr Rogers himself – who spoke strongly on the issue.

In September the Welsh Conservatives suspended Cllr Rogers after an alleged incident in Brymbo, that was investigated by police who determined no further action would be taken and the matter was closed.