New Worcester city council leader appointed

Worcester city council now has a new leader following a vote by councillors.

Cllr Chris Mitchell, who has previously served as deputy leader of Worcester City Council, has made the step up to the top job at the Guildhall for the Conservatives.

He replaces Cllr Marc Bayliss, who stepped down as leader earlier this month, after securing a role as deputy police and crime commissioner for West Mercia.

Cllr Bayliss, who first revealed in August that he would quit the city council leadership if he was given the new police role, stepped down with the council remaining in no overall political control.

As well as the new deputy police and crime commissioner role, he will remain as a city councillor representing the Bedwardine ward, where he was re-elected in 2021, and stay in his role as cabinet member for economy, infrastructure and skills at Worcestershire County Council.

Following city elections in May, the Conservatives lost its one-seat majority in the Guildhall.

The Greens, fresh from several successes at the polls, proposed that leadership of the council was shared by the Conservatives and Labour, the two biggest parties, but with Labour refusing to cooperate, the council had been led by Cllr Bayliss since.

Labour, who voted against Cllr Mitchell’s nomination, are still refusing to take part and did nominate a co-leader, which means that a Conservative will again be ‘joint’ leader alone.

Cllr Mitchell has also relinquished his role as chair of the always-important planning committee and handed the reins over to Conservative colleague Cllr James Stanley.

Cllr Mitchell said: “Having worked with [Cllr Bayliss] as his deputy for five years, there are a couple of things that have really highlighted his leadership, the most important is that we have not been in overall control for four of those five years [that he has been leader]  and I have watched with some admiration and learnt a great deal watching his collaborative way, working across groups and across the chamber, working with people, not necessarily against them.

“I will endeavour to continue in that matter manner, to be the best of my ability. I can’t guarantee all the time, but I will endeavour.”