Former Town Mayor Quits The Burgess Hill Lib Dems To Become An Independent Councillor

Long-tenured Liberal Democrat Councillor Janice Henwood has sensationally quit the party and gone independent following issues at Burgess Hill Town Council.



Cllr Henwood, who served as the Town Mayor from 2023-25, immediately resigned from the party following the full meeting of the council on Monday 24th November. During the proceedings, all members present (apart from Cllr Stowe) failed to back her amendments to the notes of a Community Engagement Key Area Group meeting to better reflect the business conducted - this proved to be 'the straw that broke the camel's back' for Janice.

In a statement to this website, Cllr Henwood wrote:
Some of the procedures that have occurred at the Town Council cause me to be concerned about our governance. These concerns are not being addressed . Concerns such as incorrect minutes; items missing off an agenda, decision making processes questionable; voting by a member when an interest has been declared.

Janice Henwood now joins Cllr Andy Stowe as an Independent on the Town Council. The Liberal Democrats have now been reduced to 14 councillors. The Green Party have 3 representatives and Conservatives have one sole councillor.

Cllr Henwood has represented the Liberal Democrats on the town council since 2011 and was famously the only opposition councillor to the Conservatives between 2015-19 until the great purge in May 2019.


Cllr Andy Stowe, Cllr Janice Henwood and Cllr Peter Chapman - Independent Councillors on Burgess Hill Town Council and Mid Sussex District Council.

Speaking on the resignation, Independent Cllr Andy Stowe, said:
I’ve known Janice for over 50 years, and she has always put the interests of the town first. In fact, she was the first person I sought advice from when I was deciding whether to stand for the council.

Like me, Janice wants what is best for the town, so I fully understand and applaud her for resigning from the Liberal Democrats and continuing her work as an Independent councillor.

Her decision strengthens the independence and effectiveness of the opposition on the council, which can only benefit local democracy by ensuring greater scrutiny, balance, and accountability.

Multiple people involved in this website have been regularly observing town council meetings throughout the 2023-2027 term and we've been surprised just how many of the experienced councillors are sitting back and allowing the council to operate how it is at present and we concur with Cllr Henwood's statement above.

The fact that Janice Henwood - the most experienced councillor, has left the ruling party, it should serve as statement to the local community that things are not right at the council.

This story will be continued after Christmas.....