Caerphilly Council leader Lindsay Whittle has announced he will be stepping down following his election to the Welsh Assembly.
Councillor Whittle said: “I have decided to stand down following my election as an Assembly Member. The post of leader is a full-time job and I don’t believe I would be able to devote the attention the role deserves if I continued, having been elected to the National Assembly.
“I’m very proud of Plaid’s record in Caerphilly. We are the only authority in Wales not to increase council tax bills this year and we have made efficiency savings without cutting the salaries of council workers, unlike some other Welsh local authorities, while also maintaining frontline services.
“As a Caerphilly-boy it has been an immense privilege serving the people of the county borough as council leader.
“It is now crucial that there is a seamless transfer to a new leader and that Plaid continues to run the authority efficiently and effectively as we have done since 2008.
“I will be staying in post until a replacement is elected, which I would expect to be within a few weeks.”
Councillor Whittle will remain a backbench councillor.
I congratulate Lindsay on his new role as AM, I am sure he will continue to work assiduously for Caerffili people. He has been a very good councillor for many years, displaying none of the arrogance and spite that afflicts some borough councillors.
Lindsay, instead, represented and worked with all the people of our community. He is a role model for any councillor or prospective councillor. I wish him well in his new new job.
I would like to congratulate Plaid Cymru Cllr Lindsey Whittle on his appointment to the Welsh Assembly,
However I note that he wishes to remain a backbench Councillor with CCBC and take up his position as an AM, does this not raise an issue of a Conflict of interest between the two roles.
Surely he would be better appointed if he gave up his role as a County Councillor, to concentrate on what is after all a full time post as an Assembly Member.