The leader of Somerset County Council announced on Monday (April 16th) that he is standing down in order to run for office to become the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner.
Ken Maddock, pictured, has held the role of Leader at the County Council since the 2009 local elections.
He announced his intention to seek the Conservative Party nomination to stand as Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Avon and Somerset. Successful candidates will stand in a regional election due to be held in November.
“Deciding to stand down as Somerset County Council leader has been a really hard decision, a real wrench,” said Cllr Maddock. “But the new Police role is hugely important and influential. With my experience in commerce, in public service, and my contacts in local, regional and national politics, I feel I have a lot to offer.”
Cllr Maddock’s intention to resign will bring about a leadership election within the Conservative group of councillors and a successor will be approved through a vote at the Council’s annual meeting in May – Cllr Maddock will then formally step down. He will continue to represent his Mendip South ward as an elected council member.
“I will do everything I can to ensure a smooth transition as I hand over,” he said. “I have worked through some of the toughest financial times in several generations and am proud of the work we have done and the achievements we have delivered within those extremely difficult budget challenges.”
Ross Henley, deputy leader of Somerset Liberal Democrat County Group,
welcomed Monday’s announcement as “great news for Somerset.”
He said: “Sadly, Ken’s legacy is one of destruction and disaster. He led the County Council to close all out tips two days a week and on Sunday afternoons and thanks to his policies, fly tipping has rocketed. Large parts of Somerset have a £2 entry fee to a tip, thanks to Ken.”
“He led the council to the Courts when his library closure campaign was ruled unlawful. He cut 100 per cent of the arts budget. He threatened to withdraw all funding from most youth centres and has made massive cuts to highway verge cutting, weeds and gulley budgets. He also cut funding to our Police Community Support Officers and now he wants to be the elected Police Commissioner.”
