Council change as head suspended

Carol Claridge has indicated she will stand down as council leader

A new leader has taken over at the helm of the Conservative group on Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

The change comes after an adjudication panel decided to suspend Carole Claridge from the cabinet for nine months over code-of-conduct breaches.

Councillor Mike Bevins has been elected leader of the Conservative group with immediate effect.

The breaches concerned both Burbage parish and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council meetings.

No disrepute

It is believed Mrs Claridge now intends to step down as the leader of the council and a special meeting of the full council will be convened in the next few days to elect her replacement.

The issue centred around a non-declaration of interest at a parish and cabinet meeting where an application for grant aid for a sports pitch was discussed.

Steve Atkinson, chief executive of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, said: "It is important to note that Councillor Claridge was not found to have brought her office or authority into disrepute and did not seek to improperly influence the discussion at the borough council meeting".

He added: "We are keen to put this matter behind us and move on with improving work of the council."