A COUNCILLOR who is also standing to become West Midlands Mayor has responded to criticism from one of her fellow councillors.

Beverley Nielsen, who is Malvern Hills District Council’s portfolio holder for economic development and tourism, hit back at suggestions from Conservative Jeremy Owenson that “she has spent all her time since the election trying to get another job.”

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Cllr Owenson said: “I know that many councillors, and the portfolio holder for the economy in particular, were tied up with the election.

“Can the leader (Cllr Sarah Rouse) tell us how this portfolio was handled during the election, and can the leader give us an assurance that, now the election is out of the way, the portfolio holders will stop working on the jobs they failed to get at the ballot box and concentrate on the jobs they were elected to do?”It would appear the economic portfolio holder is now standing for West Midlands mayor - it makes you wonder why she ever stood for the district council, given she has spent all her time since the election trying to get another job.”

Mrs Nielsen, who stood for the Liberal Democrats in the general election and is standing for West Midlands mayor for the second time, said she was still committed to her role as a councillor, saying; “I feel as engaged as I ever have and am working as hard to ensure we get our fair share as I’ve ever done.

“There is wonderful work ongoing in building the science park and there is more development going on to support businesses as well as pulling in more partners to support job creation and retention so we can keep skilled people here before they move out of the area.”

There are several councillors on the district council who have stood for election in recent times, and in December’s election, three of the four candidates: Beverley Nielsen, Martin Allen and Samantha Charles, all stood for parties while serving on the district council.