FOLLOWING the clean sweep victory of the Conservative group on Redditch Borough Council, deputy leader Councillor Mike Rouse has announced he will stand down from the post with a handover to Coun Gemma Monaco underway.
Coun Rouse was elected to Worcestershire County Council at last Thursday’s local elections and told a Conservative group meeting he wanted to make sure he could deliver on both roles to full effect.
Consequently he had contacted group Leader Coun Matt Dormer to confirm he wanted to relinquish the role.
Councillor Gemma Monaco.
“We are a much larger group than before, which is going to present its own challenges and I think Coun Monaco would be a superb fit to help us travel the road ahead as a group,” said Coun Rouse.
“I fully support her and look forward to handing over.”
Coun Monaco, who has been a highly effective chair of the borough’s planning committee, will take up her new role at full council meeting on May 24.
She will be the first female deputy leader of the authority in more than a decade.
She said: “I am delighted to take up this role, which will enable me to support Matt and the wider team as we deliver on investment in our town and district centres, invest in our train station and enhance our parks and open spaces, all whilst also pushing ahead with the climate change agenda too.”
Coun Dormer, who returned as group Leader at the meeting, said: “The people of Redditch placed huge trust in the Conservatives on Thursday and provided us with large numbers on the borough council.
“That means we have to configure our team so we don’t waste any time when it comes to delivering on the people’s priorities.”
