Council member leaving

One of Telford & Wrekin Council’s best known members - deputy leader David Blackwell - is leaving after getting a new job out of the area.

Councillor Blackwell intends to move out of the borough. A Wrockwardine ward by-election to replace him will be held later this year.

The Tory will continue to be a councillor and to chair the plans board in the short term until he and his wife leave the area permanently.

He is the council’s deputy leader, following the seizure of control by the Conservatives in the May elections, and was first elected to the council in 1995.

Councillor Blackwell’s job search coincided with the recent election process, but by the time this new post came up, it was too late for him to withdraw.

Council leader Andrew Eade said: “We will all be very sorry to see David leave the borough and the council which he has served so ably for many years.

“I am delighted for David that he has resolved his work situation and when he leaves, he will do so with the best wishes of all his colleagues here.”