Brighton and Hove council leader resigns
Cllr Warren Morgan, who has been council leader for three years, local Labour leader for five, and a councillor for East Brighton for 15 years, announced his resignation this evening (February 26).
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Hide AdHe said: "It has been the privilege of my life to have been given the opportunity to serve as leader of the place where I was born and which I call home. However that time must now come to an end.
"Despite the enormous financial and infrastructure challenges facing the city council, leading it has been a role I have enjoyed and found hugely rewarding, even in only being able to achieve a fraction of what I would have wished to.
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Hide Ad"None of what I have achieved as leader of the Labour and Co-operative Group over the past five years, or as council leader over the past three, have I achieved alone. I have been incredibly lucky to have has a group of friends, a team of talented councillor colleagues, and a set of dedicated council officers alongside me."
After listing some of his achievements and highlights as council leader, he said: "Having spoken to colleagues over recent months I have now taken the decision to continue to serve as leader until Annual Council in May, but not seek re-election at the Labour & Co-operative Group Annual General Meeting in April. This will give my successor time to prepare for the city council elections in 2019, and set out their stall for what I believe will be a Labour victory and the first majority council for nearly twenty years.
"After fifteen years of representing East Brighton ward, I will also stand down as a councillor in May 2019.
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Hide Ad"I’ve given the city my best efforts in service of my fellow residents. I would like to thank all those who have worked with me and supported me over the past five years, and I wish my successor well in taking on the immense and difficult challenges of the years ahead."
Peter Kyle, the Labour MP for Hove, tweeted: "I’m sad @warrenmorgan is stepping down as leader. He gave his life to Labour in our wilderness years & never stopped until we were in power delivering the change we talk so much about. Warren: you have been a better friend to Labour than we have to you. Thanks for your service."
Geoff Raw, Brighton and Hove City Council chief executive, said: “It’s been a great privilege to work with Cllr Morgan and I’m both grateful for and hugely impressed by his unswerving commitment to this council and the city.
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Hide Ad“It’s ‘business as usual’ as we continue to deliver on our priorities and services for residents during this time of change.
“Annual Budget Council last week has given us a clear financial framework for 2018/19 and we’re finalising our plans on this basis; moving forward without interruption.”
To read a blog post by Warren Morgan on his decision to step down, click here.