Long-serving councillor to stand down

David Welsh said he had a "difficult choice to make"

A long-serving councillor is standing down, prompting changes to key roles at Coventry City Council.

Cabinet member David Welsh will step down at the end of the month and scrutiny co-ordination chair Naeem Akhtar will take over the housing and communities brief in the cabinet.

Mr Welsh, who is resigning to focus on his legal career, is a Labour councillor and has been a cabinet member for four years.

A by-election is due to be held for the vacant council seat in the St Michael's ward.

It has not been revealed who will replace Mr Akhtar in overseeing scrutiny or on the planning committee.

The changes will be confirmed at a meeting of the Labour-controlled council on Tuesday.

Mr Welsh, who has been a councillor for 14 years, said he had a "difficult choice to make" to stay in politics or progress his career after studying law for years.

"I’ll continue public service, just in a different way," he added.

Mr Akhtar said he was looking forward to carrying on "the great work" Mr Welsh had overseen.

He said: "Some of the areas face significant challenges in the coming months and years and I look forward to working with colleagues and partners to achieve the best outcomes we can for the city."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.