COUNCILLOR Mike Rouse has announced he will stand down as deputy leader of Redditch Borough Council.

The Conservative group on the council has confirmed the post will be filled by councillor Gemma Monaco, with a handover underway.

Councillor Rouse was elected to Worcestershire County Council at last Thursday's local elections and told a Conservative group meeting on May 12 that he wanted to make sure he could deliver on both roles to "full effect."

He contacted the leader Matt Dormer on the morning of the meeting to confirm he wanted to relinquish the deputy leader role.

Councillor Rouse said: "We are a much larger group than before, which is going to present its own challenges and I think councillor Monaco would be a superb fit to help us travel the road ahead as a group.

"I fully support her and look forward to handing over."

Councillor Monaco, who chaired the borough's planning committee, will take up her role as deputy leader at the full council meeting on May 24. She will be the first female Deputy Leader of the local authority in over a decade.

She said: "I am delighted to take up this role, which will enable me to support Matt and the wider team as we deliver on investment in our town and district centres, invest in our train station and enhance our parks and open spaces, all whilst also pushing ahead with the climate change agenda too."