West Berkshire Council leader Lee Dillon steps down to run in next General Election

Lee Dillon is temporarily stepping away from his role as leader of West Berkshire Council.

His sabbatical will begin next week (Thursday).

This will allow the Liberal Democrat councillor for Thatcham North East to put himself forward as a candidate in the next General Election – a previously stated intention of his.

This means current deputy leader Jeff Brooks (Thatcham West) will become acting leader and take on responsibilities associated with the role.

Mr Dillon will continue to sit on the executive where he will be involved in key decisions and discussions, and will remain the portfolio holder for public safety.

These arrangements will be in place until after the election has been held – which must be by January 2025 – at which point they will be reviewed by the executive group.

Mr Dillon said: “It has been an honour to serve as leader since the elections last May and stepping aside, for now, has not been an easy decision.

“However, we have put in a place, and are delivering on, an ambitious council strategy and have an executive who are settled into their roles and committed to delivering for local residents.”

He added: “We are in a good position to face the opportunities and challenges in the year ahead and I look forward to continuing to play my part on the front bench.

“Councillor Brooks is an experienced councillor and he has my full support.

“I look forward to continuing to work with him for the benefit of West Berkshire residents.”

Current MP for Newbury Laura Farris responded via Twitter and called the move an “admission of failure”.

She said: “The leadership of West Berkshire Council is imploding.

“This is not good for the urgent work required to address terrible recent decisions from economic mismanagement to proposed care home closures.

“Cutting and running is not leadership.

“It’s an admission of failure.”

Leader of the opposition at West Berkshire Council Ross Mackinnon (Con, Bradfield) said: “Shocking lack of commitment to the role he [Dillon] has held for only eight months, in which his Lib Dem council has been a complete and utter disaster.

“Liberal Democrat leader of West Berkshire Council, Lee Dillon, has announced he is stepping down from his job to concentrate on his campaign to become MP for Newbury.

“It's described as a sabbatical, with his replacement being acting leader, so presumably if councillor Dillon loses in the General Election he will return, lowering himself once again to West Berkshire duties and his leader's salary, for which we must be grateful.”