Acting leader of Walsall Council issues statement after sudden resignation
The acting leader of Walsall Council has issued a statement following the resignation of the authority’s leader, Councillor Garry Perry.
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Councillor Perry led the council from June 2024 until his sudden resignation on Wednesday, May 21.
His deputy, Councillor Adrian Andrew, has now stepped in as acting leader of the council until a new leader is chosen.
In a scathing statement announcing the departure, Councillor Perry said he had been subjected to a ‘campaign of political attrition, deliberate undermining, and personal hostility’.
Conservative councillors will vote on their new leader at an upcoming group meeting, which will then be voted upon at the following full council meeting.
Until then, Councillor Andrew will be acting leader. He has paid tribute to Councillor Perry and promised that services will continue to be delivered as normal.
Councillor Andrew said: “I want to pay tribute to Councillor Perry for the impeccable leadership and service he has given our group and to Walsall Council, not only over the past 12 months but for many years, especially during the COVID pandemic.
“Garry is an incredibly caring and empathetic person who has the best interests of residents in Pelsall and communities across Walsall at heart.
“I will be acting leader of the council and the Conservative Group until a meeting of the group is convened in accordance with the group rules.
“At that meeting, a new group leader will be elected by Conservative councillors who will then be nominated as leader of the council at the following full council meeting.
“The people of Walsall Borough can be assured that services will continue to be delivered by dedicated and conscientious members of staff and the council will continue to play its full role at the regional level, making sure we are at the table to secure more investment into our borough.”
