Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council leader Ken Rhatigan resigns with immediate effect

The leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Ken Rhatigan, has resigned his position with immediate effect.

Mr Rhatigan, who has led the Conservative-run council since May 2019, confirmed the decision this morning (Thursday).

He will, however, remain a councillor and continue to represent the Tadley North, Kingsclere and Baughurst ward, for which he was elected in last May’s election.

Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News, Mr Rhatigan cited personal reasons for the decision.

He said: “It’s come as a shock to everybody but sometimes you have to make a decision at the right time.

“I think with a few months to go to the election, it is right – having put the budget in good condition – that I step back from being leader.

“I really want to deal with some family issues and with the additional burden of being leader – and it’s a very important borough – it’s the right time to be doing it.

“While the budget is in great nick, and before the elections in May, it gives whoever is my successor an opportunity to bed down and make their own name and deal with their own world.”

Mr Rhatigan, who replaced Clive Sanders as leader in 2019 after Mr Sanders stepped down following seven years at the helm, said he remains committed to his ward.

A third of the council’s 54 councillors will be up for election this year – the 18 in each ward who received the fewest number of votes in last year’s election, when the entire council was elected due to a change in ward boundaries.

Under the council constitution, Mr Rhatigan’s deputy Simon Bound (Con, Sherborne St John and Rooksdown) will take over in the interim and then the Conservative ruling group will take a vote on their next leader.

In a statement, the borough council said: “Councillor Ken Rhatigan has informed the chief executive that he is resigning as leader with immediate effect for personal reasons.

“Under the council’s constitution, the deputy leader Simon Bound will act as leader until the appointment of a new leader at a council meeting.

“The next council meeting is on Monday, February 28.”