Bradford Council Leaders Survive No Confidence Vote

Middlesbrough Council Chair Julia Rostron survived a no-confidence motion by a narrow margin, following a heated debate over council meeting processes. Conservative Councillor Luke Mason criticized the chair for limiting supplementary questions during meetings, claiming it undermined democratic processes. Meanwhile, Bradford Council's leadership faced intense scrutiny but ultimately defeated a no-confidence vote prompted by opposition claims of failures, particularly regarding the stalled Bradford Live venue, which has yet to find an operator despite significant public funding. Conservative leader Rebecca Poulsen condemned the leadership for a series of mishaps, including delays in regeneration projects and a lack of transparency. Labour leader Susan Hinchcliffe dismissed the motion as hypocritical, asserting that the council is addressing its challenges. Both councils reflect ongoing tensions and debates over local governance effectiveness.