CONSERVATIVE chiefs have launched a bid to oust Labour group leader Coun Adrian Gregson from his role as deputy leader of Worcester City Council
As part of sweeping changes to the council’s constitution, Coun Marc Bayliss has tabled a proposal to remove the need for the deputy leader of the council to come from another party.
If approved this evening (Tuesday) the move will bring to an end a four-year ‘power-sharing’ arrangement introduced while neither of the main parties at the Guildhall had a majority.
Coun Bayliss has made the move within days of his party earning a majority of one at the Guildhall in the local elections earlier this month which saw Labour reduced to 11 of the 35 councillors.
As well as proposals which are likely to see Coun Gregson ousted, Worcester’s Tory leader is also seeking approval to remove councillors from other parties who serve as chairs of the various committees at the Guildhall.
Green Party leader Coun Louis Stephen currently serves as the chair of the influential Policy and Resources Committee, effectively the city council’s cabinet.
If approved by the majority of Conservatives tonight, Worcester’s Tories will in effect take full charge of the council.
“With the Conservatives now attaining a majority on the council there is no longer a need for the sharing of the leadership positions,” Coun Bayliss said.
“It is therefore recommended to council the requirement for the deputy leader to come from another party to the leader is removed.”
While hoping to retain the ‘spirit of co-operation’ seen in the last four years, Coun Bayliss confirmed he would be seeking a Conservative chair for all of the council’s committee and said the council’s deputy leader ‘may’ be appointed from within his group.
Vice-chairmanship of all the committees would be offered to members of other political parties, he added.
In addition to the political moves, the Conservatives have proposed two new committees be created to drive policy forward at the Guildhall.
Enhancements to the Place and Economic Development sub-committee will be made while a new Committee for Health and Wellbeing is being proposed.
“The pandemic has shown us just how important good health is not just for the individual but for community and society as a whole,” Coun Bayliss said.
“There is also a growing awareness of health inequalities within and between groups in society and the important role local authorities can play in improving outcomes for all.
“Many councils are now citing well-being as part of their corporate objectives and it is in this spirit that well-being is being included within the remit of the proposed committee,” he added.
Visit www.youtube.com/worcestercitycouncil from 7pm to watch the meeting.
