A COUNTY councillor has been sacked from his position in the cabinet by the leader of the council.

Graham Powell said he has been dropped as Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for economy and corporate services by Tony Johnson.

He has been replaced by David Harlow, the Birch ward member.

Cllr Powell will continue to serve as the Golden Valley South ward member for the council.

He today released the following statement: “Cabinet positions are appointments entirely within the gift of the leader of the council and he has decided to make a change.

“I am disappointed, in particular that I will no longer be involved with the Fastershire project, but it is the leader’s decision to make and I have to accept it.

“I will continue to serve the residents of the Golden Valley South ward as I have done for the past five years.

“It is though more important that we focus on the application going before the planning committee on June 6 – the first phase of the Hereford bypass. “Approval for this application is essential to the economic growth and financial sustainability of Herefordshire.

“I wish my colleagues well for the future as they continue the work to make Herefordshire a great place to live, work and learn.”

Cllr Johnson was unable to comment as the time this article was published. 

Anthony Powers, leader of It's Our County, said: "Graham and I don't always agree, but we get on well and I have real respect for the hard work he has done as a cabinet member and for his eagerness to engage with people and issues, including when he was in charge of the difficult Adult Social Care portfolio where he did a generally excellent job.

"There are other cabinet members I would much prefer to see go. Nobody knows why Graham has been sacked.

"Perhaps he was just too challenging for the leadership to want to have around them? It's sad and surprising news."