Worcestershire Highways Chief Removed from Cabinet Role

Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet has undergone further changes after highways lead Karl Perks was removed from his position.

Council leader Jo Monk said the decision was made to ensure the cabinet can work more effectively as a unified team. The move follows a period of internal challenges for the authority, including a difficult budget meeting in which councillors approved a nine per cent increase in council tax.

The reshuffle comes just weeks after former deputy leader David Taylor was also removed from his cabinet role in December, signalling continued changes within the leadership team.

In a statement, Cllr Monk said the council had faced a challenging time, requiring tough decisions to secure its long-term future. She added that, to maintain momentum, it was essential for the cabinet to operate cohesively.

As a result, she confirmed that the highways and transport portfolio would be reassigned, with Cllr Nik Price stepping in on an interim basis.

Despite the change, Cllr Monk thanked Cllr Perks for his work since taking on the role last May, describing him as a valued member of the Reform UK group.

Cllr Price currently holds responsibility for strategic delivery, operations, governance and efficiency – a position created earlier this year to help drive improvements across the council.