RUMOURS are rife that following the defection of Coleford councillor Jon Kay from the Conservative controlled Forest of Dean District Council, Tory number six could be jumping ship this week.
Ahead of the Newent by-election this Thursday some councillors are predicting that sooner rather than later the Tory grip on the council will be no more.
Leader of the Independents, Cllr Norman Stephens, said this week that within days the Conservatives could lose overall control.
"It is definitely a strong possibility. The overall majority could be lost and then we will have an interesting situation," he said.
"There has been a lot of unhappiness at the way they (the Conservatives) have set the budget. There is also huge concern that the council is being run by such a small number of members. Many councillors feel they are wasting their time and that no account is taken of their views. It is leading to unrest."
Cllr Stephens said he welcomed Cllr Kay (Coleford East Ward) as an Independent. He said he understood his decision had been strongly influenced by the council's support for the £400,000 office refurbishment scheme.
Council leader Mrs Marion Winship said she was disappointed at the defectors.
"They were elected as Conservatives and as the right people to run the council. They are showing disloyalty and letting down the electorate who voted for them to follow a particular course of action," she said.
Cllr Winship thought it unlikely the Conservatives would lose control of the council.