THE leader of Malvern Hills District Council has resigned.

Cllr Sarah Rouse, who had been leader of the council since May 2019, said there had been differences in the "direction" different members of her administration wanted to take.

The resignation comes as a shock, with Cllr Rouse saying she was proud to have served the district for nearly three years.

Her resignation casts doubt over the future of the administration, which is made up of 19 members of the Democratic Alliance, a mix of independents, Greens and former Lib Dems.

There are 12 Conservatives, four Lib Dems and two unattached independents (Cllr Rouse being one now she has resigned.)

She said: "On Monday (March 28) I resigned as leader of MHDC and from the administration and the democratic group.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as leader at MHDC. Especially through such difficult times.

"The worst flooding for decades followed by a pandemic challenged all of us, but the officers at MHDC have been incredible throughout.

"Every decision I have made has had the residents first and foremost in my heart. 

Malvern Gazette: SHOCK: Cllr Sarah Rouse has resigned suddenlySHOCK: Cllr Sarah Rouse has resigned suddenly

"Over the last few years the independent group has grown and changed, with members of other political parties joining it.

"Working with the Green group has been extremely rewarding, but some members of the Independents would like now to go in a different direction.

"Through and through I am 'people before politics' so I have made the difficult decision to step away from the group,allow it to take a new direction if it wishes and return to the community work from which I came and which I find most rewarding.

"I thank all those officers and councillors who have supported me through an incredible journey."

A major challenge faced by the leadership came when the Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Aksar split from the administration.

As a result, Cllr Tom Wells, deputy leader of the council, Cllr Beverley Nielsen, Cllr Kathy Wells and Cllr Kwai Hung Chan all quit the Liberal Democrat group in response Cllr Aksar's decision to pull the party out of the coalition.

It is unclear when a new leader will take up their role or who that leader might be, with a tenuous coalition ruling the council and the Conservatives in opposition.