Councillor Ed Harris, dubbed a ‘rogue landlord’ after two six-bed HMOs were closed for safety failures, resigned as chairman a day after insisting he would not step down
Warwickshire County Council HQ at Shire Hall
The Warwickshire councillor branded a “rogue landlord” by a neighbouring authority has stepped down as chairman just one day after pledging to remain in post.
Councillor Ed Harris ( Reform UK, Baddesley & Dordon) had two six-bed houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) shut down by Tamworth Borough Council following “serious safety failures” concerning central heating and hot water, fire and smoke detection, cooking and access provision.
He informed the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Wednesday (January 28) that he was “contrite” but challenged aspects of allegations that needed “much more context”, maintaining when questioned that “I don’t think there is any need to” step down from the county council or his position as chair.
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“My personal life is completely separate from my work life,” he stated.
Nevertheless, pressure intensified on Thursday with four Warwickshire MPs signing a letter to county council leader Councillor George Finch (Reform UK, Bedworth Central) demanding he investigate and calling for Cllr Harris to surrender the chair during that process.
They achieved their objective that same evening with a statement on behalf of Warwickshire County Council’s Reform UK group confirming Cllr Harris had stood down from the chair as well as surrendering the right to represent his party “whilst the matter is investigated”. He remains serving as an independent councillor.
Cllr Harris’s statement read: “It has been an honour to serve as chairman of Warwickshire County Council.
“A recent news story has been an unfair distraction of the great work of our council and its people. Whilst this matter is looked into, I feel it is my noble duty not to allow my chains of office to be put through a process.
“Therefore, with immediate effect, I am resigning the office of chairman. I have also written to the leader of Warwickshire County Council to advise him that whilst the matter is investigated I will be resigning the whip and will sit as an independent.
“I would like to thank colleagues across the chamber for their support and for electing me to office. I will continue to serve my residents in Baddesley & Dordon and support the council with all its work to improve the lives of Warwickshire residents.”
The chair serves as the civic and ceremonial head of Warwickshire County Council and “upholds and promotes the purposes of its constitution”.
As well as representing the authority at civic functions, they also chair meetings of full council, a particularly pertinent point with the county’s annual budget-setting meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 5.
Warwickshire County Council’s constitution – essentially its rulebook – states that “the council must elect a chair and appoint a vice-chair at each annual meeting and when there is any vacancy”, suggesting that someone will need to be appointed at the start of that crucial budget meeting. The current vice-chair is Councillor Dale Keeling (Con, Dunsmore & Leam Valley) but it appears he will not automatically step into the role in the same way he would have if Cllr Harris was absent – the resignation means the position is vacant.
The significance to the budget meeting is that there remains a tight political balance at Shire Hall with no single party enjoying an outright majority.
In July, Cllr Harris had the casting vote after a 23-23 draw to elect a new leader, giving the nod to Cllr Finch. If a budget battle becomes that close, whoever is wearing the ceremonial chains could end up with the final say on a huge political decision.
A statement from Cllr Finch thanked Cllr Harris for his service as chair, adding: “It would be inappropriate to comment on the details while the proper process is ongoing and I would urge others not to speculate.”
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