Updated 01:35 Tuesday 17th January 2006
Council Leader Resigns

Mike Carver, leader of East Herts District Council, has announced his resignation after a row about legal expences and claims of a culture of bullying at the council's Wallfields offices.

In a press release issued yesterday evening by the council, Mr.Carver said "I have now spent 4½ years as Leader of East Herts, having dedicated my time to serve our very special community. However, I now feel it is time for a change and have today resigned my position as Leader of the Council."

Cllr.Carver has recently been at the centre of a row following a dispute between two of the council's executive directors. This led to £120,000 of public money being spent on legal and consultancy fees amid claims of a culture of bullying at the council's Wallfields offices.

His statement continues "I started out with a huge task of how East Herts would take on the changes and challenges in the Local Government Act 2000. These were significant and far-reaching changes for both staff and members... However, in any change process not everyone readily understands or accepts the need for that process of change and during the past few months that has become more obvious".

In recent weeks Mike Carver has faced criticism not only in the local press, but also from colleagues in his own party, with some urging him to step down.

Two months ago Liberal Democrat members proposed a motion of no-confidence in the council's executive.

The council had earlier taken court action to prevent the press from printing details of a leaked report by consultants about the conflict between two executive members of the council. The report was critical of Cllr.Carver's conduct.

Cllr.Carver's Statement in Full

I started out with a huge task of how East Herts would take on the changes and challenges in the Local Government Act 2000.

These were significant and far-reaching changes for both staff and members and I wanted to try to steer that change process in the best possible Conservative way that I could with the key objective of delivering more effective and efficient services whilst accepting that as an Authority, in the eyes of Government, we were not seen in the strongest light. A difficult principle to balance but one in which I believe we have been particularly successful and the foundation is now well established for a very positive, strong future. However, in any change process not everyone readily understands or accepts the need for that process of change and during the past few months that has become more obvious.

I believe that this is the point in time where a good leader recognises the need to step aside and allow someone else take up the Leadership challenge with a new style and a new energy.

The timing is particularly appropriate now because East Herts are about to select and appoint a new Chief Executive and I believe it is important that whoever takes on that role has support from the new political leadership.

The change will also provide me, as a member of the Executive, with the opportunity of spending more time at both the Regional and National level positively challenging the Government, both on behalf of East Herts and also from a Conservative standpoint in trying to protect local democracy .

From an East Herts point of view I then can focus all my attention on the proposed airport developments on both our east and west borders as well as the huge housing threats proposed within the growth plans in the M11 corridor.

I have enjoyed my time as Leader and will be totally committed to continue working tirelessly for East Herts and for the Conservative Party at all levels."