Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council removed after vote of no confidence
Councillors elect new leader following removal of Chris Watkins
Councillors at an extraordinary meeting on 21st January voted to remove Council Leader Chris Watkins from his position.
During the meeting, a motion of no confidence was carried, and Cllr Steve Hey was elected to take over as Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council.
He steps into the role immediately.
The decision comes after a dispute over delayed elections. Watkins had written to the government requesting that elections due on 5th May be postponed. His argument was that resources could be better used to prepare for the 2028 abolition of Warwickshire councils, which are set to be replaced with a single-tier authority.
Kris Wilson, leader of the Conservative group, prompted the vote and said: "This is fundamentally about our right to vote. A vote which has been hard won over centuries and to try and deny that vote to residents is an extraordinary act."
More than a third of eligible councils in England have requested delays to upcoming elections due to restructuring plans. An estimated 2.5 million voters could be affected nationally.
Rugby Borough Council, located near Nuneaton, is among those seeking a postponement, while Coventry’s elections will go forward as scheduled since it is not part of the restructuring process.