The future of Cllr Bob Bayford as leader of Thanet council hangs in the balance after a motion was put forward for a vote of no confidence.

Councillor Rev. Stuart Piper of Thanet Independents, backed by fellow members Cllr John Dennis, Cllr Lynda Piper, Cllr Bertie Braidwood and Cllr Gary Taylor, has secured an extraordinary council meeting next Thursday when the matter will be debated by full council.

Cllr Piper says the constitution requires five signatures for such a motion, but he claims he could have got "four times that".

"The difficulty is we can't put the details in the public domain of the reasons for the vote of no confidence as it might prejudice the meeting itself," he said.

"We are only allowed to say that it is to hold a debate on the vote of no confidence in the current leader.

"Reading the agenda it would appear there may be two votes - a vote to decide whether or not you want to have the debate and if that is so it will be debated before the vote.

"I would be astonished if people have not enough interest to debate the current leadership of the council.

"It matters not whether they want to oppose Cllr Bayford or support him, they ought really be interested enough to debate it."

Cllr Bayford narrowly retained his position as leader of Thanet District Council in a tied vote in May when the new council chairman cast his deciding vote in favour of the Conservative.

The Tories hold the most number of councillors in the chamber with 25, while Labour take up the role as official opposition with 20 seats.

Thanet Independents have seven seats, Greens three and there is one independent.

Cllr Piper says even if the vote of no confidence is voted through, Cllr Bayford "technically" doesn't have to resign.

"The reality is, he's currently leading a minority administration and he would be in an even worse position that he's in now and so there would be no point in him continuing.

"But constitutionally he could continue if he wanted to, but that would be unwise.

"We are looking at all the possible ramifications."

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