DEPUTY Leader of Worcestershire County Council David Taylor has resigned from his position, after just three months in the role.
David Taylor, from the county’s ruling Reform UK party, will remain a member of the cabinet, with Coun Rob Wharton filling in as deputy leader while the group decides on a permanent replacement.
Mr Taylor was elected as a county councillor in Redditch East for the first time in May.
Worcestershire County Council’s Leader, Councillor Joanne Monk, said: “I can confirm that Councillor David Taylor has made the decision to step down as Deputy Leader.
“David will continue to be a part of the leadership team in his role as Cabinet Member for One Worcestershire which covers Local Government Reorganisation.
“A group meeting will be held to elect a new Deputy Leader. In the interim, Councillor Rob Wharton will be fulfilling the role of Deputy Leader alongside his cabinet position.”
Conservative Group Leader Coun Adam Kent, who covers Wythall, has hit out at Mr Taylor’s resignation, saying the council is now in ‘chaos’.
Coun Kent said: “Reform promised strong leadership — instead, residents are being subjected to civil war in their ranks, resignations, and bitter infighting.
“At a time when Worcestershire faces the biggest decisions in a generation with Local Government Reorganisation, the county is being run by a group who are more interested in fighting among themselves than delivering for local people.
“This is a crisis of leadership. Reform are proving every day that they are not capable of running the council.
“While they collapse in on themselves, vital debates about the future of our county are being undermined. The people of Worcestershire deserve better than this amateur hour.”
