Dudley Council leader David Sparks is standing down as council leader with immediate effect.

Cllr Sparks, who is chairman of the Local Government Association, says he aims to focus on the national role and is better placed to do so by stepping aside as Dudley leader and leader of the Labour group in the borough.

The ruling Labour group will hold a selection meeting next Thursday (November 27) to choose a new group leader.

Cllr Sparks’ deputy, Cllr Pete Lowe, is the clear front runner in the race to become the new leader and has already confirmed he intends to stand for election by the group.

Cllr Sparks said: “Dudley Council is in a period of change. We have just appointed a new Chief Executive and we are in the process of streamlining our senior management team.

"We also now have an agreement in principle to work towards a combined authority for the West Midlands, and I have decided it is the right time to stand down as Leader so the authority can start the New Year with a refreshed leadership team.

“I intend to use my experience and expertise to support my colleagues in Dudley with the important work of establishing a combined authority that will be a lynchpin for national economic recovery and of course I will continue to serve as a ward Councillor in Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood as I have done since 1977.

“However stepping down as Leader will also allow me the time to focus on my national role as Chair of the LGA, as I work with councils nationwide to support, promote and improve local government so that we can continue to deliver local solutions to national problems.”

Cllr Lowe said: “David has become a very close personal and political friend. The work he has done, locally and nationally, will be remembered for years to come.”

The full council will confirm the selection of their new leader at a meeting on Thursday December 1, Cllr Lowe says should he become the new leader he will ask his former boss to continue to play a prominent role in the authority.

Cllr Lowe is standing as a candidate for Stourbridge in next year’s general election. He told the News if he wins a parliamentary seat he will stand down as leader, should he be chosen to replace Cllr Sparks in Dudley.