Cllr Alan McDermott resigned as leader of the Conservative group last week [Wednesday] and on Sunday [May 23] formerly stood down as Council leader.
It will mean councillors will have to elect a new leader at the first Full Council meeting scheduled since the May 6 elections, due to take place this morning [Wednesday, May 26].
Cllr McDermott’s resignation comes after the party’s heavy losses at the local elections.
The disastrous result that saw the Conservatives lose overall control of the Council for the first time in more than 20 years.
While they are the largest party, the Town Hall is currently in deadlock with the Tories holding 24 seats and the opposition parties also holding 24 between them.
Tom Dawlings, the current cabinet member in charge of Finance and Governance, will be replacing Cllr McDermott as head of the Tory group at the Council. But he will not automatically also replace him as Leader of the Council.
The Benenden & Cranbrook member will need a majority vote from all councillors if he is to retain the leadership for the Tories.
