Cornwall Council leader to stand down at elections

The leader of Cornwall Council is standing down at the upcoming local elections, she has announced.

Linda Taylor, who represents St Ives, Lelant, and Carbis Bay, has been in charge at County Hall since 2021 when the Conservatives won a majority.

She survived a vote of no confidence in her leadership in November, but her group lost its majority on the unitary authority following the resignation of some members from her party unhappy over her leadership style.

Taylor said she was proud and honoured to have served as leader, but stepping down was "the right decision at the right time".

Taylor said: "It's been an honour and a privilege to serve the residents of Cornwall as leader for the last four years.

"I have done everything I can to listen to our communities and promote their interests both home and abroad.

"The decision to stand down at the end of this administration is the right decision at this moment in time.

"The cabinet and administration have delivered in exceptional tough times.

"We have had to make some hard decisions, but we have invested into adult social care and created amazing business opportunities with the Shared Prosperity Funding of £147m."

Martin Alvey, council cabinet portfolio holder for the environment and climate change, paid tribute to Taylor.

He said: "She's been a brilliant leader - really supportive, not just of Conservative members, but other members who have been through difficult times.

"I am saddened, but it's a very full-on job being the leader of a council - I think she's done her share."

Independent group leader Julian German said he "wished Taylor well in her retirement".

All 87 seats on Cornwall Council will be contested in the election on 1 May.

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