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Hinckley and Bosworth Tory leader resigns

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The leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council's Tory group has stepped down so he can spend more time with his young family. Coun Paul Bessant has said he can no longer commit the time he needs to leading the authority's opposition group on the Liberal Democrat-led council and has resigned after two years in charge. He said: "It has been a privilege to lead the council's Conservative Group over the last two years but there are a number of very important issues emerging such as the situation with the bus station development in Hinckley and deep rooted problems with council housing that will require much more attention than I am able to give at the moment." Coun Bessant and his wife Tracy have a 14-month old son Clark and a four week-old baby boy called Blake. He said: "When I became leader we did not have any children now we have two. "Many of the meetings I have to attend are in the early evening and it just isn't fair on Tracy to leave her to look after both kids - especially a newborn. "I also run my own business and 50 or 60 hours a week is the norm. "I believe it is important that the leader of the borough council's opposition group is in a position to dedicate as much time as possible to the scrutiny of important issues to ensure the interests of local people are protected so I feel it is appropriate to step down and support a new leader in this vital task." Coun Bessant will remain as the ward member for Newbold Verdon with Desford and Peckleton. Groby Conservative councillor Peter Batty has been elected leader of the Tories. Coun Bessant said: "Peter is a very tenacious councillor. He wanted to be leader and has the time to do the job. I am very pleased he has taken over. Coun John Moore and Coun Kevin Morrell have been confirmed as deputy leaders of the Tory group. Coun Batty said: "I would like to offer my thanks for the work Paul has undertaken over the last two years. "I will be working closely with my two deputies John Moore and Kevin Morrell, who will have responsibility for urban and rural issues respectively with Kevin also overseeing affordable housing, and the other members of the Conservative group to ensure that the key matters affecting local residents are properly addressed by the borough council's current administration."

Hinckley and Bosworth Tory leader resigns


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