Lichfield District Council leader Mike Wilcox
Lichfield District Council leader Mike Wilcox

The leader of Lichfield District Council says he regrets the decision by half of his Cabinet to resign – but admits he accepts their reasons.

Councillors Iain Eadie, Doug Pullen and Andy Smith all stepped down from their posts in the six-man leadership team in the wake of the council’s failure to get the Friarsgate development over the line.

Cllr Pullen said the current leadership group could not credibly continue, while Cllr Eadie said a difference of opinion over the development meant he could not continue.

Cllr Smith has yet to comment on his reasons for resigning.

Mike Wilcox
Cllr Mike Wilcox

At a meeting of Lichfield District Council last week, leader Cllr Mike Wilcox said: “I regret the decision of the Cabinet members to step down but accept their reasons for doing so.”

The trio have been replaced by Cllr David Leytham, Cllr Ashley Yeates and Cllr Elizabeth Little.

Cllr Wilcox said he was “excited” at what they would bring to the leadership team – and said he hoped the inclusion of a woman would help stop criticism from the opposition group about the previously all-male Cabinet.

Cllr Sue Woodward, leader of the Labour opposition group, said it was important a female voice was heard.

“I thank the former members for their service – although it is unfortunate that they find themselves in the unfortunate position of having to resign,” she said.

“I welcome Cllr Little and hope the impact of having a female voice is not underestimated. I am sure she will offer different perspectives on issues being discussed by Cabinet.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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nellygb
5 years ago

Cllr Wilcox I regret your decision not to do the honourable thing and firstly apologise to all council tax payers for squandering at least 50% of the reported £7M this has cost us and secondly for not handing in your resignation. I’m just thankful junior conservative and opposition councillors had the foresight to see what the public thought of funding the whole of this project and threw it out. I and no doubt many others are waiting with bated breath for this and subsequent years accounts to surface so we can find out the actual figure. Now what becomes of the £6M inward investment from GBSLEP can it go to putting our brown bins back and locking our parks of a night? Just askin’

Cllr Rob Birch
5 years ago

“Cllr Wilcox said… he hoped the inclusion of a woman would help placate criticism from the opposition group.”

What an absolute joke. He should have women on the cabinet because he values their worth and what they can add in terms of knowledge, experience and perspective. They should be there to ensure the cabinet reflects the general population. They should be there because they have as much to offer as their male colleagues and in many cases far more!
He’s shown himself up as putting someone there as a token gesture with his 1900’s attitude plain for all to see.

Cllr Wilcox. Do the decent thing and resign. You are zig zagging from one disaster to another, destroying Lichfield and Burntwood as you go.