Councillor Paul Myers has stood down as leader of the Conservative Group on Bath & North East Somerset Council, having led the group for the past two years, and become independent.
Cllr Paul Myers in 2018 | Photo © B&NES Council
As well as standing down from the leadership role, the Midsomer Norton ward councillor has also resigned as the Conservative whip and will sit as an independent councillor until the next elections in 2023, when he plans to stand down.
In a statement, the B&NES Conservative Group said Councillor Myers has “worked tirelessly to ensure the Group has been able to act as a strong Opposition, holding the Administration to account on key decisions and scrutinising policy in forensic detail”.
He has confirmed he will not be joining the Independent Group on Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Cllr Myers said he has taken the decision to step back from frontline politics in order to be able to spend more time with his family after what has been a challenging couple of years for him personally.
Cllr Myers said: “I came into local politics in 2011 not just to represent the residents of Midsomer Norton Redfield but to get things done to make a real difference.
“I’ve given it my all since 2011 and will now, by standing aside from B&NES wider politics, focus on working on a few remaining projects in Midsomer Norton such as the Town Hall with fellow ward councillor Chris Watt. Above all I look forward to having more of a personal home life”.
Cllr Vic Pritchard has become the Conservative Group’s Acting Leader until members can vote for Cllr Myers’ replacement in the next few weeks.
Cllr Pritchard said: “On behalf of all members of the Conservative Group, I would like to say an enormous thank you to Paul for everything he has done for us over the past two years.
“He has demonstrated exemplary leadership, successfully managed a consistently high workload and conducted himself throughout with an erudite political wit. For these reasons, and many more, he will be greatly missed.
“We wish him every success in his future endeavours, and I have every faith that he will continue to be an outstanding ward councillor for Midsomer Norton.”
