Half of Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet have resigned.
The decisions of Cllr Doug Pullen, Cllr Iain Eadie and Cllr Andy Smith were made after a meeting of the six-strong Conservative Cabinet last night (June 12).
No official reason was given for the departure, but sources have told LichfieldLive that disagreement over the plan to fund Friarsgate are behind the decisions.
The council is currently debating whether or not to spend £49million on the long-awaited redevelopment project.
Cllr Mike Wilcox, leader of Lichfield District Council, said: “It is with regret that I have accepted all three resignations.
“Cllr Eadie, Cllr Smith and Cllr Pullen have each made tremendous strides within their specific portfolios. They have contributed to delivering positive outcomes for our communities, as well as their continued work with officers to help transform and improve the services we deliver.
“I will be announcing their successors within the coming days, and wish Cllrs Eadie, Smith and Pullen well in their continued roles as district councillors for their respective wards.”
Sources within the controlling Conservative group told LichfieldLive that the decisions are related to a fall-out over the funding of the long-awaited Friarsgate project.
Insiders revealed that the group’s leadership had wanted to back a plan to fork out the £49million cost of the scheme after private investment failed to materialise.
But LichfieldLive understands that the wider Conservative group had indicated they were not prepared to push ahead with the project.
