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Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council John Thomas has resigned from the Conservative party after he joined his cabinet in walking away from the party group this week.

It is understood Cllr Thomas is among five councillors who have resigned from the Conservative party after pledging to form a new independent group on the council. Three other councillors now sitting as independents have yet to confirm their intentions.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has also been told the councillors which currently remain in the party face suspension from the Vale Conservatives and action may be taken soon.

Councillor Michael Morgan, who joined the council leader and his cabinet in resigning from the council group, has also confirmed his resignation.

The leader of the new independent group, Cllr Ben Gray, will announce his intentions on Monday May 13.

The other councillors to have resigned are deputy leader of the council, Hunter Jarvie, cabinet members Geoff Cox, Jonathan Bird and Andrew Parker and Cllr Kathryn McCaffer. Cllr Thomas and his cabinet remain in the ruling body as independent members.

But a new administration is expected to be formed at the Vale Council's AGM on May 20. The new independents have not officially formed a group yet but are expected to do so next week.

The resignations came after Cllr Vince Bailey was elected Vale Conservative group leader following a vote by Tory councillors. He says he will propose a minority administration.

There are unconfirmed rumours that the new independent group would prop up an administration led by Labour and also include Llantwit First.

Cllr Thomas said: "In no way am I not accepting the vote at the party AGM. My issue is the way Cllr Bailey wants to take the group and, if he gets the chance, the council. I don't think it's going to work.

"In his manifesto he's rejecting any income generation opportunities. He's rejecting the savings that we have put in place and he's saying he will keep council tax below the level of inflation.

"He's just looking for that populist vote. I don't think he would be prepared to make the decisions necessary to keep the council on a decent financial footing which we have managed to do over the last couple of years."

The exodus from the Conservative group leaves the party with just 15 councillors.

In his manifesto, Cllr Bailey is pledging to scrap proposals to introduce new car parking charges in the Vale, stop the 'closure' of Llancarfan Primary School and curb inflation-busting council tax rises.

He also pledges to deliver the Dinas Powys Bypass, review the Vale's Local Development Plan and oppose the Barry incinerator.

Cllr Bailey said: "Unfortunately, too many people feel that their views are simply being ignored and that Vale consultations are just tick box exercises. Take the proposals around car parking charges, or the closure of Llancarfan School. I don’t think anyone outside of the Civic Offices believes that those decisions weren’t already done deals, and that’s simply unacceptable.

(Image: Vale of Glamorgan Council)

“I’ve been criticised for wanting to listen to the people who elected me, and I make no apologies for that. Under my leadership, that’s exactly what would happen and whilst I do accept that there are difficult decisions to be taken, we have to take the public with us - not ignore their legitimate concerns.”

Conservative councillor for Dinas Powys, Andrew Robertson, has blasted the splitters for their "entitlement" and called for them to be banned.

He said: "The way in which they reacted to losing that vote demonstrates a level of entitlement that is dangerous in a politician. There has been a growing feeling amongst the Conservative Group as a whole that the electorate of the Vale of Glamorgan are not being well served by the cosy establishment that exists within the Council.

"Increasingly we have felt that those things that the electorate wanted us to do are being denied them and that those things that the electorate do not wish to happen are being rammed down their throats.

"I cannot say how the Conservative Association will deal with the rebels but my advice would be that they should be banned from the Conservative Party for life

"Most have had the benefit of safe seats in communities such as Cowbridge, St Athan, Peterston-superEly and Plymouth ward in Penarth. I never wish to see them being allowed to stand again in those seats on a Conservative ticket. Potentially they have brought down a Conservative Administration which I regard as unforgivable. They should never, never be forgiven."

Cllr Morgan pledged to work for the benefit of everyone in his ward of Peterston-Super-Ely after resigning as a Conservative.

He said: "This is not a decision I have taken lightly and has been reached after a great deal of careful thought. I respect all our councillors, regardless of their political persuasions, for their work within the Vale Council and in their wards .

"I feel that a collaborative approach among us is in the best interests of the Vale. The surge of support for independent councillors elected in England last week would support this view.

"I will continue as an Independent Councillor working for the benefit of everyone in our Ward"

Cllr Gray, who is the cabinet member for social care, health and leisure, said: "There's a history of there being independent Conservative groups on the authority, so I can't agree the suggestion is "laughable".

"I will be making my intentions known after we meet as a group on Monday."