Plot revealed to axe Reform council leader
BBCA motion on whether Worcestershire County Council's Reform leader should be removed from office is set to be voted on.
The Liberal Democrats have formally submitted a notice of motion calling for councillor Jo Monk to be ousted, saying they have "no confidence" in her.
Lib Dem Councillor John Robinson said: "They promised to cut waste and cut taxes - elected officials should stand by their word." Monk defended the the tax rise as "the responsible choice" for an authority that has been battling a financial crisis.
The notice of motion about Monk, who has not commented on it, is due to be voted on during the next full council meeting in May - and will only be approved if a majority of the 57 councillors back it.
It comes after the authority was awarded £59m in emergency government support for 2026-27 to enable it to avoid effective bankruptcy.
The Reform administration has been in a war of words with the previous Conservative leadership over the state of the finances, with the budget gap forecast to hit £99m by 2027-28.
Robinson said: "The council's leadership has clearly failed over the past nine months.
"[Reform] promised to cut waste and cut taxes. When a clear failure has occurred you need to stand by your actions.
"The situation we face is grave, and I have no confidence in this leadership to enact it."
Conservative group leader councillor Adam Kent said: "Reform were elected on promises to cut waste and reduce taxes, yet residents now face near-record council tax increases without a credible, costed recovery plan.
"Those who fail to plan, plan to fail - Worcestershire is now living that reality."
Monk said: "If a notice of motion has been submitted in line with the council's constitution, it may be debated at the next council meeting so I won't be commenting at this stage."
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