A NON-ALIGNED politician on Wrexham Council has moved to join one of the independent groupings in order to have a greater say in how it is run.

Cllr Paul Rogers left the Conservative Party in November and said he had been mulling over the decision for some time.

The Brymbo representative initially chose not to align himself with either of the two independent groups which rule the authority in coalition with the Tories.

However, he has now chosen to become part of council leader Mark Pritchard’s faction, bolstering their numbers up to 17.

The move was confirmed on the council’s website yesterday (DEL TUESDAY 14 MAY) and it is understood more changes could be afoot ahead of the authority’s AGM next week.

Cllr Rogers, who formerly stood as the Conservative candidate for Clwyd South in the Welsh Assembly elections, said: “I am pleased to confirm that I am joining the Independent Group.

“I discussed this with the leader Councillor Mark Pritchard as I feel it is more effective to be part of a group rather than being non aligned.

“I would like to thank the group for welcoming me on board and look forward to working with them and the administration.”

Cllr Rogers used to sit on the council’s executive board as part of his old party but stepped down in February 2018 to focus on ward issues.

He has been a vocal opponent against the authority’s Local Development Plan which includes proposals to create a gypsy and traveller site on a former sewage works in Brymbo.

The plan was voted through to the public examination stage last year despite strong opposition.

Cllr Pritchard’s group remains the largest on the council following the move, with the ruling parties also including Cllr David A Bithell’s independents who have eight members, along with the authority’s eight Conservatives.

Labour is the largest opposition party holding twelve of the 52 seats available, with Plaid Cymru on three, the Liberal Democrats on two and two remaining non-aligned councillors.