THE two councils in charge of Malvern are both choosing a new leadership this week.

Malvern Hills District Council chooses a new leader at its Annual Full Council meeting while Malvern Town Council's new mayor and deputy mayor are both being chosen in the same week.

For the district, there is uncertainty as the leadership remains in limbo following the resignation of former leader Cllr Sarah Rouse and decision by the Greens in the ruiling Democratic Group to split and form their own party.

Currently, the Democratic Group and the Conservatives both have 12 councillors, with the smaller groups of Greens, Liberal Democrats and Independents holding the balance of power.

Whichever group seeks to form an administration must form a working coalition with one of these groups in order to have a majority.

Cllr Rouse resigned in late-March, with Cllrs Daniel Walton and Tom Wells taking interim charge until this meeting.

The leadership crisis worsened when a new Green party group split, led by Cllr Julie Wood.

Cllrs Lesley Bruton and Peter Whatley both left the Democratic Group shortly after Cllr Rouse, joining her newly-created Independent Group.

The Democratic Group, which is currently in charge, currently has 12 councillors according to the council's website, with the Conservative opposition also having 12.

In addition, there are five greens, four Lib Dems, three in the new Independent Group and one (Cllr Caroline Bovey) not specified.

At the meeting, which takes place on May 10, the portfolio holders for the district council will also be chosen.

The meeting gets under way at 6pm in the Council Chamber in Malvern.

A day later, on May 11, Malvern Town Council will hold its own annual meeting.

Cllr Nick Houghton, the current mayor, is the only nomination so is set to continue for the 2022/23 year.

Cllrs Sharon Taylor and Clive Hooper are both nominees to take over as deputy mayor.

The town council meeting will also be held at 6pm in the Council Chamber in Malvern.