Diss Town Council defer decision over leadership until next year

Diss Town Council has deferred a decision over leadership until next year

At a meeting on Wednesday, the council agreed to discuss the issue at the next full council meeting on January 9.

It follows an announcement last week by Cllr Julian Mason that he wished to step down from the role as council leader after seven months.

Cllr Mason said: “As you all know, I took two months off from the council some time ago, and felt refreshed.

“But having come back, I realise that the same issues that influenced my decision still exist and I have decided that, after much consideration, it’s probably best for the council – and certainly for me – if I stand down as leader from this point.”

The position of council leader was created two years ago when the mayoral role was split into two.

Mr Mason stepped up to the challenge, first as interim leader last December, after former town councillor Graham Minshull resigned after two years, saying he wanted to give someone else the chance.

In January, councillors will discuss the idea of electing a deputy mayor, instead of leader, who will help guide the council, alongside the mayor, in the run up to the local elections in May.