CONSERVATIVES in Warrington are celebrating the announcement that the council's Labour leaders are stepping down next year.

Leader of the council, Russ Bowden, and his deputy, Cathy Mitchell, have announced that they will not be standing for re-election at the next local elections, in May 2024.

This came after Conservatives in Warrington issued calls for the leaders' resignations following a leaked Government letter that criticised the council's finances.

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian, leader of the council's Conservative Group, Cllr Nigel Balding, issued calls for the Labour leaders to step down after a Government minister criticised the council for a perceived lack of awareness over the severity of the debt it finds itself in.

At the latest estimates, the council is projected to be in more than £2billion of debt by the end of 2026.

Cllr Bowden's letter announcing his departure next May explains that his role as leader of the council has 'brought significant personal challenges, putting immense strain on [his] family.'

Deputy leader of the council, Cllr Mitchell announced her departure one day after Cllr Bowden.

Despite not giving any firm reason behind her decision, she referenced the ‘challenges and exposure’ women receive, and said that the decision was a difficult one.

Responding to the news, leader of the council's Conservative Group, Cllr Nigel Balding, said: "Cllrs Bowden and Mitchell seem to work closely together, so I was not surprised to see Cllr Mitchell announce that she will be stepping down shortly after Cllr Bowden’s own announcement.

“I very much welcome that there is now an opportunity for a change of direction at Warrington Borough Council.

"I’d like to urge the Warrington Labour Group to quickly elect a new leader and deputy leader. I’d urge them to find councillors committed to more openness and transparency, with more respectful language and less ambition to gamble on investments.

“There is much to do between now and May, not least decisions for a budget for the financial year 2024/25 which is due to be agreed in February.

"I hope that there are Labour councillors willing to take up the reins in a new administration before the elections in May and to set the council on a new course.

"I encourage everyone to work together urgently to make the necessary changes before Christmas, so we can breathe a sigh of relief and Warrington can move on.”

Warrington Guardian: Cllr Mitchell and Cllr Bowden were both heavily criticised over the council's finances before they made their announcements at the weekendCllr Mitchell and Cllr Bowden were both heavily criticised over the council's finances before they made their announcements at the weekend (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Wendy Maisey OBE, who is president of Warrington Conservatives, wrote a lengthy post on social media.

She wrote: "The resignations of Cllrs Russ Bowden and Cathy Mitchell are good news for everyone in our town.

"Regardless of political colour or conviction, I know that many people will feel a deep sense of relief at the news that they have decided to bring their disastrous tenure to a close.

"As a business leader and employer in Warrington for the past 27 years, I’m confident that their exits will be a significant boost for our town’s economy, for the reputation of local politics and for Warrington’s national standing.

"Our town has been driven to the precipice of bankruptcy as a result of their political misjudgement.

"For the last five years, they have consistently demonstrated that they were totally unsuitable for the offices they held.

"History will remember them as probably the most unfit leadership team in Warrington’s long history.

 "Cllr Bowden’s inability to deliver on his own promises was never more apparent than in his repeated failure to deliver a traveller’s transit site.

"When I pressed him to name a date for the next transit task force meeting, he responded a month later with a characteristically rude email in which he labelled me ‘ghoulish.' 

"His responses to legitimate questions have always lacked civility and often bordered upon abusive."

Warrington Guardian: The town's Tories had called for the Labour leaders' resignations in the week prior to the announcementsThe town's Tories had called for the Labour leaders' resignations in the week prior to the announcements (Image: Warrington Conservatives)

Cllr Maisey added: "The damage inflicted on our town by Russ Bowden and Cathy Mitchell will take some time to recover from.

"Every resident of Warrington, whether they vote red, blue, [independent], green or yellow will need time to heal.

"I am looking forward to our town enjoying a fresh start.

"The future will be free of Russ Bowden and Cathy Mitchell, and we will be all the better and stronger for it.

"I will, as always, work with anyone whose first and last objective is to put Warrington first."