Malvern Hills District Council leader Tom Wells steps down

His resignation comes amid growing political unrest at the council.

Cllr Wells, who was elected leader in May 2022, will continue in the role until a successor is appointed at the authority’s next full council meeting on November 26.

He said he is stepping down for a variety of reasons, including to look after his own mental health, and so he can devote more time both to his family and to serving the residents of his Powick ward.

A new leader is expected to come from a coalition of the Democratic Independent Group and Conservative councillors.

Former council leader Sarah Rouse said: “The news of Tom’s resignation was a shock, but I am aware that the Democratic Independent Group has been torn apart.”

CHAIRMAN: Daniel Walton says his residents know he's a member of the Labour Party (Image: MHDC)

Tom Wells, Kathy Wells, Kwai Chan and Christine Wild are all known to have left the Democratic Independent Group.

“What is even more surprising is that the Conservative group have formed an agreement with the Labour councillors to form a minority administration,” added Cllr Rouse.

“Vote independent, get Labour and the Conservatives. As an independent, I do not see how that can work long term.”

Cllr Rouse was referring to independent councillors who are members of the Labour Party.

These include Beverley Nielsen, who now sits as a Labour councillor on Worcestershire County Council but still sits as an independent on the district council, and chairman Daniel Walton.

Cllr Walton said: “The Democratic Independent Group have always been in power and in order to retain stability it’s about people working together.

“I always have been a Labour member and my residents in Lower Broadheath are aware of that.

“I don’t find the district council to be very politically driven at all - I think people are politicising something that isn’t. It’s about serving my residents.”

READ MORE: Former Lib Dem councillor joins the Labour Party

Cllr Nielsen said as someone who was elected as an independent and worked as an independent, she intends to continue sitting as an independent.

She said the county council is different as there is a Labour group.

Green group leader Jules Wood said: “This has been a very difficult time, but the Green group has held strong with the belief that delivering for our residents and keeping to our principles is more important than political games.

“Greens do not chase political gain, and we have distanced ourselves from those who are doing so, and in their wake are destroying the stable leadership of MHDC.”

Deputy council leader Natalie McVey said: “I was brought up to value honesty and integrity.

“This opportunistic power grab is evident of people with huge egos who are trying to further their own political agendas rather than work in the best interests of the residents of the Malvern Hills. “That is why I have distanced myself from them; we have nothing in common.”

We have contacted the Malvern Hills Conservative group.