BY IAN ROSS

LIBERAL Democrat borough councillors are being urged to vote for a 'fresh start' to ensure their survival as a political force.

The call came from Judith Thwaite, one of a group of rebel Lib Dem councillors seeking a change of leadership for the crisis-torn group.

The faction has nominated a candidate for each of the eight official group positions to be contested at a ballot next Monday.

Whatever happens the group will have a new leader, after Linda Short announced she would not be seeking re-election.

Mrs Short stood down last month as borough council leader following the publication of an independent report into misconduct allegations against her.

She is considering mounting a legal challenge to the findings against her, which she said would be very difficult if she was leader of the council and the Lib Dem group.

The breakaway group has put forward Alsager councillor Rod Fletcher to succeed Mrs Short, and Bill Owen as his deputy.

Trish Barlow has been nominated by the rebels as group chairman, with Trevor Howkins as her depuity.

The other breakaway candidates are Rab Parry for whip, Dot Flint as secretary, Ray Lowe for treasurer and Paul Jones as press officer.

Mrs Thwaite, from Congleton, is one of 13 councillors calling for a new direction for the group.

"This is the worst crisis the group has faced since I've been on the borough, and there needs to be a clean break and a fresh start," she said..

"Group members are very demoralised, and we have to try and pick up the pieces and salvage something.

"Unless we start afresh it will be the end of the Liberal Democrats in Congleton Borough."

Group secretary Mrs Flint hoped the ballot would produce a clear message of how the group wished to pull together and move forward.

"With all that's gone on there is a mood for a change, which is the only way forward for us as a group and a council."

The other candidates are Alan Hardern for leader and whip, John Turner for deputy leader and treasurer, and John Brown and Derek Hough for chairman.

Ann Thomson is standing for deputy chairman, Jan Whitehurst for secretary, and Clr Brown is also challenging for press officer.

Mrs Short's solicitor has written to the council asking why there was no appeals procedure over the recommendations in the indepedent report.

"I'm not prepared to accept those recommendations, and with my solicitors will be looking at the possibility of seeking a judicial review," said Mrs Short.

"Under the Human Rights Act every citizen is entitled to an appeal, and the criticism which has been levelled at me has been unfair and unjust."