CONSERVATIVES on the district council say they are willing to work with any councillors who put residents first.

The future leadership of Malvern Hills District Council is unclear after leader Tom Wells announced he is stepping down.

A new leader will be elected at a full council meeting on November 26 - and is expected to come from a coalition of the Tories and the Democratic Independent Group.

Jeremy Owenson, leader of the Conservative group at the council, said: “I have always said we are willing to work with any councillor of any political persuasion as long as they have the residents’ at heart.

“My frustration is that Tom [Wells] and the Greens are trying to find division where there isn’t any.

READ MORE: Malvern Hills District Council leader Tom Wells steps down

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“They talk about card-carrying Labour members sitting as independents, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what your politics are on a district council as long as you have the best interests of the residents at heart.

“The Conservative group have things they’d like to achieve and it’s about time councillors focused on delivering for residents and forget about scoring points.

“You have to get on and work with people. We’re willing to work with anyone.”

Some of the political unrest at the council surrounds two councillors who sit as independents on the district council but are members of the Labour party. Both say they are doing nothing wrong.

Political make-up of Malvern Hills District Council

Malvern Hills District Council is currently made up of seven Conservative councillors, seven Green councillors, three Liberal Democrats and 14 independents.

Of the independent councillors, seven are members of the Democratic Independent Group, six make up the Malvern Hills Independent Group and one is part of the Green and Independent Alliance.