The head of Surrey County Council has resigned as leader of the Conservatives on the Local Government Association amidst the controversy surrounding the ‘sweetheart deal’.

David Hodge stood down from the LGA – a national body made up of council representatives – claiming he had achieved his goals of shining a light on the pressures councils faced in providing social care.

But opposition councillors at Surrey County Council claim mounting pressure from Liberal Democrats and Labour parties as well as Tory leaders of other councils forced his hand.

From February: Surrey County Council leader U-turns on plans for 15 per cent tax increase minutes before vote

From March: Surrey an 'outlier' deserving of 'special treatment', according to county council leader and MPs' secret talks

Cllr Hodge had come under fire after a cache of documents revealed he had held talks with the government over securing a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to mitigate a proposed 15 per cent council tax increase.

From last week: Bid to oust Surrey County Council leader David Hodge over 'sweetheart deal' tax row fails

Leader of Surrey’s Liberal Democrats Hazel Watson tabled a motion of no confidence last week in Cllr Hodge last week, which was ultimately rejected.

Your Local Guardian:

Will Forster (pictured above), Lib Dem Councillor for Woking said: “It has become clear that Tories in other local authorities have lost faith in David Hodge, but Conservatives on Surrey County Council are so out of touch with reality they still back him despite the last two months of allegations of dodgy deals and wrongly sent text messages.

“If senior leaders in local government no longer want David Hodge, why should Surrey residents be stuck with him?

“The leader of the council at county hall was wrong about the 15 per cent increase in council tax. He was wrong in how he dealt with Surrey's financial problems - and he is wrong to carry on now.

“Surrey County Council needs a fresh start and that means new leadership.”

When the Epsom Guardian contacted David Hodge for a comment, he replied that he was "on holiday". Surrey County Council last week held its last full council meeting before elections on May 4.

Your Local Guardian:

Cllr Hodge (pictured above) had announced his reasons for resigning, in an article for the Municipal Journal – a journal dedicated to local authority business – titled 'Why I am quitting'.

He wrote: “As Chairman of the LGA Conservative Group I’ve worked tirelessly to represent all councils - especially in relation to funding for essential services - so that we are all equipped to serve our residents as best we can.

“I’ve worked relentlessly to get more attention paid to the pressures councils across the country face providing social care. The result was the introduction of an adult social care precept last year – extended this year – and extra funding in the Chancellor’s recent budget.

“Now – with these achievements secured – it’s clear others want someone leading the LGA Conservative Group with a different approach.

“They may want someone who will ruffle fewer feathers and so I have decided to resign from my position at the LGA.”

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