Statement from Councillor Max Holloway, Leader of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

I’m proud that under my leadership the Joint Administration has delivered for residents where it matters most, including:

• Launching the 'Nicer Neighbourhoods' Scheme, an ambitious pilot programme of neighbourhood improvements that I will always be proud to have delivered
• Investing in our Town Centres, creating transformative new public spaces, such as the new Market Place in Hatfield
• Kickstarting a series of progressive strategies, on Climate Action, Sustainability, Economic Regeneration, and a fresh approach to new development - all putting the health and wellbeing of our residents at their heart
• Initiating a programme of improvements to our social housing stock to ensure our residents’ homes are warmer and more energy-efficient
• Improving the standards of our frontline services, delivering on the issues residents care about most: cleaner, greener, and healthier streets
• Delivering budgets, including our upcoming proposals, that put public services first and deliver the large-scale, transformative outcomes that will put Welwyn Hatfield in a strong position for decades to come.

However, we must be honest about the hand we’ve been dealt. Successive years of cuts to local authority funding have hollowed out its capacity to deliver. Now, in addition, Local Government Reorganisation presents one of the biggest challenges this Council has faced in over fifty years.

The transition to a new Unitary Council is a complex and massive undertaking. It is a challenge we have to meet, and get right. We have a duty to make sure that the transfer of powers and services to a new Unitary Council does not come at the expense of the frontline services our residents rely on.

I know that Welwyn Hatfield has a bright future, but the key to unlocking the opportunities in front of us, including through Local Government Reorganisation, is in the work that must be done now.

I believe that to meet this challenge, we need stability. I’m pleased that conversations between the two parties of the Joint Administration continue, and I hope that an agreement can be reached in the coming days that puts residents first and allows us to continue that shared work.

Should that not be the case, I have every confidence that the Labour Group has the talent and vision to lead a fantastic minority administration. This is a group of people with a clear, shared view of what matters most - not political manoeuvring or short term advancement - but delivering for the residents we are here to serve.

Leadership often requires making difficult choices - and this time it's the choice to put what is right for your local community above your own position or political aspirations.

I understand the different perspectives and strength of feeling around the recent discussions on Local Government Reorganisation.

However, the fact remains that the work ahead of us is too important to let any disagreement over leadership be the cause of delay or disruption for our residents. Our community's needs must always come first.

To remove any potential for distraction from the important task at hand, I am announcing my intention to resign as Leader of the Council at Full Council on Friday 6 February. I have asked the Chief Executive to arrange for the election of a new Leader at that meeting.

I want to thank Council Officers for their hard work and drive to do the best for our residents, my Cabinet colleagues - Councillors Astrid Scott and Kieran Thorpe - and the Labour Group for their tireless work. I especially want to thank Councillor Rose Grewal who has been a pillar of support and inspiration.

Whatever shape the future of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council takes, I look forward to supporting a smooth transition and continuing to serve our residents. My priority remains exactly what it was when I first stood for election: doing what is right for the community that raised me.

Solidarity

Councillor Max Holloway