Rebel members of Eden Council have ousted Keith Phillips as leader.

Eighteen dissatisfied councillors voted to oppose Coun Phillip’s leadership in the district, with nine voting in his favour and seven choosing to abstain from the vote.

One councillor was nominated to take over the role of council leader and their identity will be revealed at a special meeting at Eden District Council Town Hall, Penrith, tonight. If the nominee can secure a majority vote they will become head of the council until the next local election, taking place in 2011.

At his final meeting as leader, several members spoke in favour of Coun Phillips, who took over the post last September, but a vote of no confidence finally dislodged him and remaining members of the executive, Glenys Lumley and Richard Turner, from their seats.

The battle of differing opinions and 10 resignations from members of the council’s ruling Independent party is thought to have started over a potential service sharing agreement between Eden and South Lakeland District Council.

Coun Phillips sacked three members of the executive which rules alongside him when they voted against the shared services agreement, causing other members to form a new Independent Alliance.