A CONSERVATIVE frontbencher has resigned and will now sit on the council as an independent.
Cllr Richard Dolinski, who was Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, was due to announce his decision at the start of the council meeting on Thursday, November 23, but left the chamber before he was able to do so.
In a statement, he said: “It is with sadness that with the change of council leader I have decided to resign from the Conservative Party and will therefore stand down as Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing.
“I want to take the opportunity to thank the previous leader, Cllr Haitham Taylor, for the trust she placed in me in leading on what is a challenging portfolio.
“I want to express my gratitude to the exceptional Wokingham Borough Council officers, the staff of Optalis and our partners for their dedication and hard work.
“I am particularly proud of the considerable outcomes we were able to achieve for our residents.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the residents of Wokingham Borough and will continue to do so as an independent councillor.
“I have no further comments to make.”