Councillor Danny Cook

Following last weeks shock resignation of Council leader Bruce Boughton (read the breaking news here), Tamworth Borough Council have now elected the new leader who is taking over with immediate effect.

Councillor Danny Cook has been elected as new council leader with Councillor Jeremy Oates elected as Deputy Leader.

David Weatherley, Chief Executive of Tamworth Borough Council said:

“Last week Councillor Bruce Boughton stepped down from his position as Leader of the Conservative Group and of Tamworth Borough council. Councillor Danny Cook was appointed as Leader of the Council at a meeting of the Council which took place on Tuesday 15 December. Councillor Jeremy Oates was appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council with portfolio for Community Cohesion. Councillor Steven Claymore was also appointed to the Cabinet and will hold the Portfolio for Economic Development and Enterprise.”

Councillor Burce Boughton

Tamworth Blog have learnt that this morning leader of the Council, Councillor Bruce Boughton resigned as leader with immediate effect.  At the moment the reason for his resignation is unknown.

Councillor Boughton has only resigned as leader of the council, he has not resigned as a councillor.

More to follow as this story develops.

An early Christmas present for Tamworth motorists may be in store with Tamworth Borough Council cabinet members discussing free parking in the town centre for the two Saturdays before Christmas, making getting those final gifts that little bit easier.

The suspension of parking charges on the next two Saturdays (December 12 and 19) will be discussed at the next cabinet meeting this Thursday (December 10).

Leader of the Council, Councillor Bruce Boughton said:

“The idea behind the change is so that people can get real value from the free parking.

“Saturday is usually the busiest shopping day and we want to give our local businesses a boost as well. Traditionally we choose the two days before Christmas but I know that most people have already finished their Christmas shopping by then and we want people to really feel the benefits of this gift from the council.”

It’s not all great news though, at the same meeting the cabinet will be discussing the rise of parking charges across the town, which happens every 2 years and this year will see a rise in the charges to use the Council run off-street car parks.

Councillor Boughton commented:

“Given the current economic climate, the increase in parking charge is unfortunately inevitable.

“We have delayed the increase for as long as possible as we did not want the increase to hit people before Christmas. Every two years the parking charges are assessed to make sure that we are covering any costs and the recession has had a knock on effect causing many organisations to face difficult financial decisions. Although the prices look set to rise we are still offering value for money and keeping prices down as low a possible compared to other councils in the region and privately run car parks.”

We will publish information on whether parking at the Borough Council run car parks will be free the next two weekends as well as information about next years increases.