A second councillor has left the Independent Group that runs East Devon District Council.

Councillor Joe Whibley, who represents the Exmouth Town ward, announced this week that he was leaving the Independent Group.

His departure followed the decision by the Cabinet not to back a recommendation to loan Seaton Hospital £2m to enable Seaton Area Health Matters to progress with their plans to buy the Valley View Road site.

Following councillor Paul Millar's decision to leave the group last year, it means they now only have 18 councillors – one fewer than the Conservative Party who have 19 – and so are no longer the largest group on the council.

Explaining his reasons for leaving the group, councillor Whibley said: "'It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to distance myself from the ruling Independent Group at East Devon District Council. I shall henceforth operate as a non-affiliated Independent member.

"When elected I stood on a platform of change – an alternative to the status quo. I have seen little evidence that this desire is shared by the Independent Group and, to be true to myself and those who put their trust in me, have decided that I can no longer associate myself with them.

"The decision made last week to effectively vote against saving Seaton Hospital, was the final straw, though by no means my sole reason for leaving.

"I wish all of the Independent Group the very best, and I hope they prove me wrong – the electorate voted for imaginative thinking and a council that would look out for everyone, whatever their situation.

"It's not for me to comment on the status of the Independent Group from this point forward."

At the recent cabinet meeting, councillors rejected a recommendation from officers to loan Seaton Area Health Matters £2.1m to enable the purchase of the site.

The Valley View Road site is currently run by NHS Property Services, but community group Seaton Area Health Matters had put forward plans to buy the building and use it as a health hub for the community.

Instead they proposed that Seaton Area Health Matters should make contact with Devon County Council, as the authority with the expertise and the responsibilities, to try and progress with their bid.

Leader of the council, councillor Ben Ingham, said that he was disappointed by his decision to stand down, that it was unnecessary, and that if Devon County Council do not chose to provide the funding, it will be considered again by East Devon.

As a result of councillor Whibley's resignation from the Independent Group, the political balance of the council sits at Conservatives (19), Independent Group (18), East Devon Alliance (11), Liberal Democrats (8), Green Party (2) and non-aligned Independents (2).