Michael Doody resigns as leader of Warwick District Council

Cllr Doody, who been a Conservative councillor for the past 26 years and leader of the party for the past six, said: “It has become obvious that I no longer have the support of a number of Conservative Group members on Warwick District Council.

Also the chairman of Warwickshire County Council until last May, Cllr Doody made his announcement before the full executive meeting on Wednesday night.

And while thanking officers and council members for their support, the 76-year-old made a sideswipe at people he considered had been disloyal to his leadership during the increasingly controversial consultations over the strategic Local Plan which could lead to thousands of new homes in the district.

Reading from a statement, Cllr Doody said pointedly: “There are a number of members who have pretended to be my friend but have worked actively against me.

“I hope they will have cause to regret their disloyalty in the near future.”

Earlier he said: “I must make it clear that my standing down is not on health grounds, or the desire to avoid any of the difficult decisions this council have to make in the future.

“I am sure you agree it is not in my nature to evade difficult decisions.”

But he said his remaining as leader of the Tories and of the district council would “destroy” any chance of unity within the group - a situation which would not benefit the council.

Cllr Doody added: “I am extremely proud of the position this council finds itself in, with substantial reserves - a position many other authorities would envy.

“Over the years as leader I have seen the council’s financial position improve considerably, a state which has been achieved without council tax increases over this period of my leadership.”

He said there had been no loss of services - indeed in some areas there were substantial improvements with the purchase of Oakley Woods, obtaining Jubilee House in Kenilworth and assisting Warwick in many ways including paying the Government some £4.5 million.

“All councillors and officers should be proud of these achievements,” said Cllr Doody, who will formally announce his resignation at the full council meeting on October 23 and step down as leader on December 4.

A new leader of the Conservative group is expected to be elected by November 11.

Praising his colleague, Cllr Richard Davies (Con, Kenilworth St John’s), district council chairman said: “Cllr Doody has announced that he intends to step down as leader of the council on December 4th after a long and successful leadership.

“During this time he has managed the recovery of the council’s financial position, a freeze in council tax with no loss of services and the purchase of Oakley Woods and Jubilee House.

“When people have the time to take stock of his achievements they will most likely come to the conclusion that he has tirelessly served the people of Warwick District and that he has served them very well indeed.”