BCP Council leader Vikki Slade quits role following election as MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole

THE leader of BCP Council has quit following her election last week as MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole.

Cllr Vikki Slade, who was in her second term in the BCP Council role, announced today (Tuesday) she had decided to stop down ahead of the next council meeting later this month.

Since last year, Cllr Slade has headed a Lib Dem/Independent administration known as the Three Towns Alliance. She will remain the councillor for Broadstone West.

“I am delighted and humbled to have been elected as Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset and North Poole,” she said. “My main priority now is to focus on an orderly transition from being leader of BCP Council to ensure the best for residents and the council.

“Having spent the last few days at Westminster and consulted with cross-party cabinet colleagues, I have decided to resign as leader.

“In the short term, if parliamentary or constituency business does need my attention, then we have a good strong deputy leader in Cllr Millie Earl, who has the confidence of the cabinet and the authority, under the council’s constitution, to take any decisions that are required in my absence.

“Leadership of the council is a team effort and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my cabinet colleagues and reassure residents that council business will continue as usual during this period.”

Graham Farrant, BCP Council’s chief executive, said preparations had already been made for this “scenario”.

“The process for electing a new leader involves a proposal and vote through the council meeting, and we expect this to happen at the July council meeting.

“In the meantime, services will continue to be delivered and decisions will continue to be taken as normal.”