The Labour Group on Stroud District Council has been informed by the Leader of the Green Group that the informal arrangement for cross-party cooperation between the two groups will come to an end, with Labour now to be treated as a formal opposition group.
Labour Group Leader, Cllr Katy Hofmann, said: “Since 2024, Labour and the Green Group have operated under an informal understanding that we would work together wherever possible, cooperating in the interests of Stroud’s residents rather than defaulting to conventional party politics. We have valued that arrangement and we believe it has served the district well. We are genuinely sorry to see it end.
“This decision was not sought or initiated by Labour. We have worked constructively with the Green Group throughout and we would have been happy to continue doing so. But we respect the Green Group’s decision and we hold no grievance about it. Our door remains open.
“Whatever the arrangements between party groups, Labour’s purpose doesn’t change. We are here to hold the administration to account, to ask questions that need to be asked, and to put the interests of Stroud’s residents first. That work continues — with or without a cooperative arrangement — and Labour will get on with it.”
While the formal relationship between the groups has changed, Labour councillors have made clear that they will continue to work constructively where possible, while providing robust scrutiny of decisions affecting residents across the district.
