THE leader of Wyre Forest District Council made a surprise announcement at Wednesday night's full council meeting when he declared he would be standing down in May.

Councillor Ballinger, who leads the ruling Progressive Alliance, has announced a new appointment to his cabinet as well as his plan to stand aside as leader at the council’s annual general meeting later this year.

Speaking at the full council meeting on February 24, Cllr Ballinger announced that he would be appointing Cllr Mary Rayner as a member of the cabinet and that she would take over the finance portfolio. Other amendments to cabinet portfolios have also been confirmed.

Cllr Ballinger said: “I am delighted to welcome Mary Rayner to the cabinet. She has been a district and county councillor for several years and has effectively served her constituents.

"I look forward to working with her and being able to draw on her experience and skills from her work as a councillor and from her career as a senior university lecturer in research and management. "

Cllr Rayner served most recently as chairman of the council’s Ethics and Standards Committee, and has been replaced in that role by Cllr Anna L’Huillier, who was appointed by council yesterday evening.

Announcing his upcoming resignation from the leader position, Cllr Ballinger said: "When I was re-elected to the council in May 2019, I was honoured to work with colleagues in various political parties and groups to form the Progressive Alliance and to secure a change in the council’s political direction and leadership.

"It was a deeply personal honour to be elected as leader in May 2019 – almost 35 years after I had last held that office.

“My term of office as leader ends in May 2023. I shall be getting on a bit by then. I have been reflecting on whether I should serve for the full term or, now that we have reached almost the half way point in the life of this council, stand aside in order to allow for transition to new leadership.

“After considerable discussion and consultation with colleagues and others, I have informed council that I plan to resign as leader at the time of the annual general meeting in May.

"Council will be invited at that meeting to elect a new leader for the period to the elections in May 2023, and I will work to ensure that there is a smooth transition.

"I will remain as a councillor and as a member of the Progressive Alliance.”