The leader of Gloucester City Council has been ousted following a vote of no confidence.
Former council leader Jeremy Hilton lost the motion of no confidence last Thursday, with the results confirming that he had received 21 votes to 18.
An attempt to win a second vote to reinstate him to leadership was also unsuccessful.
All seven members of the council’s cabinet resigned collectively after the vote, with the motion having been put forward due to claims of financial mismanagement and insufficient levels of transparency.
A Gloucester City Council spokesperson said in a statement that ‘it remains business as usual’ at the local authority.
‘Despite the temporary absence of a leader and cabinet, our officers remain fully focused on delivering services across the city, managing our major projects, strengthening the council’s financial position and achieving all our other agreed priorities.
‘Senior officers will be working with political group leaders on the way forward. In the meantime, the temporary political situation does not affect the delivery of the services that residents and businesses rely on.
‘Separately, recent media reports have referred to the possibility that the council may require further Exceptional Financial Support (EFS). This is not a new development, or unexpected.’
They emphasised that going forward, the council is wholly focused on strengthening its financial state.
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