A LEADING county politician has stepped down from a top job to take on a role at Westminster.
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, pictured, who is currently the cabinet member for transport, waste, Street Scene and flooding at Wiltshire Council, has announced he will be taking up the position of special advisor to the chief secretary of the Treasury.
The role will see Dr McClelland working with Salisbury MP John Glen – who was made chief secretary to the Treasury by Rishi Sunak when he became Prime Minister.
Council leader, Cllr Richard Clewer, confirmed Dr McClelland had stepped down and thanked him for his hard work and commitment.
“I want to thank Cllr McClelland for his service and great commitment to his role throughout his time on cabinet and I wish him well for the future,” he said.
“Mark has worked tremendously hard with officers and other cabinet members to ensure we have been able to progress a number of our business plan priorities and deliver the best outcomes for residents and businesses across Wiltshire.
“I have appointed Cllr Caroline Thomas as cabinet member for highways and Cllr Nick Holder as cabinet member for environment and climate change.”
Dr McClelland said he was looking forward to his new role at the heart of government.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have resigned from the cabinet of Wiltshire Council,” he said.
“Over the past 18 months, I am very proud of our achievements in transport and waste – increasing funding for drainage, line painting, parish stewards, and cracking down successfully on fly-tipping.
“I have also overseen the award of new contracts for highways and grounds maintenance and ensured that improving and expanding our road network is at the heart of our transport policy.
“I am particularly pleased that we have put Salisbury’s chronic congestion issues higher up the agenda with National Highways. After many decades of inertia, I look forward to this bearing fruit in the months ahead.
“There are very few circumstances in which I could have envisaged resigning voluntarily from my role but the opportunity to serve as special adviser to the chief secretary to the Treasury at the heart of the government is not something I could turn down.
“I look forward to continuing to work hard for the residents of St Francis and Stratford from the backbenches and securing the best outcomes for Salisbury and Wiltshire.”