Spelthorne council appoints new leader after no-confidence vote

New council leader installed after no- confidence vote Image source, LDRS Image caption, Spelthorne Borough Council has appointed a new leader after a no-confidence vote in its previous administration By James Moules Local Democracy Reporting Service Published 23 October 2026 A Surrey borough council has chosen to replace its leader months before the council's abolition next spring. Spelthorne Group councillor Joanne Sexton will now lead Spelthorne Borough Council until next April, replacing Greg Neall who faced a no-confidence motion on Thursday. Sexton, who previously led the council from May 2023 to May 2026, will be in charge until it is absorbed into the newly formed West Surrey Council, created as part of local government reorganisation reforms. The no-confidence motion was tabled by another former council leader, John Boughtflower, who sought to return to the post following Neall's removal from office. Opening the debate, Boughtflower said: "We voted in the current leadership with high hopes, but this has quickly faded." The former council leader attacked Neall over ongoing asset sales amid the authority's precarious financial picture, saying "we just don't have the confidence". He added: "With some major challenges left, I'm not filled with any confidence. We need to get the last part of this council right before it moves to West Surrey." Neall defended his tenure, having led the council since May, by citing housing targets, morale among service teams and the performance of planning officers and said there was "plenty of evidence" his leadership had been successful. Deputy leader Chris Bateson blasted the no-confidence motion as an "act of self-indulgence by the opposition", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Members ultimately voted to remove Neall from leadership, with 12 votes in favour of a motion to declare no confidence, nine against, and 12 abstentions. Image source, LDRS Image caption, Joanne Sexton is the new leader of Spelthorne Borough Council Members ultimately voted to remove Neall from leadership, with 12 votes in favour of a motion to declare no confidence, nine against, and 12 abstentions. Spelthorne has seen a high turnover of council leaders over the past decade, with 10 different councillors having held the role since 2011. Spelthorne is currently overseen by government-appointed commissioners, who were brought in last year to close the council's budget gaps after it amassed significant debts. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook , external , on X , external , and on Instagram , external and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds . Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk , external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Related topics Local government Spelthorne Borough Council More on this story South Middlesex council name change not approved Published 13 October Related internet links Spelthorne Borough Council Local Democracy Reporting Service