Council leader not seeking re-election next May following “significant personal challenges”

WARRINGTON Borough Council leader Cllr. Russ Bowden has announced he is not seeking re-election next May following “significant personal challenges” putting immense strain on his family.

Cllr Bowden, who has been a Birchwood councillor for 13 years, and five years as leader of the council says he intends to take legal action in respect of a “malicious prosecution” brought against him, having been cleared of all charges in a case that should never have been allowed to proceed.

He goes on to say in a letter stating his intentions that it is incompatible with his position as Leader of Warrington Borough Council so he has decided not to seek re-election next May.

Cllr Bowden said: “Now is the time to make my intentions known so that arrangements can be put in place in due course with regard to a successor.”
He concludes by stating he hopes to offer himself for public service again at some time in the future.

His decision follows a tough few years after he was prosecuted for election fraud – eventually being cleared by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court. The case revolved around his residence.

In his letter he said: “It’s been the honour of my life to serve our community for the last 13 years as a Birchwood Councillor, and the last five as the Leader of Warrington Borough Council. We have achieved so much, despite the unprecedented cuts handed down by the Conservatives in Westminster.
“We’ve regenerated our town centre, with Time Square breathing new life into our Market and a cinema and university now back in the heart of Warrington. We established our own housing company, which is building the affordable green homes our residents need. We’re the first council in the country to generate all our electricity requirements through our own solar farms.
“This is a record I will fiercely defend, and that our Party should rightfully be proud of.
“Achieved in spite of immense hurdles put in our way but nevertheless, overcame together.

“However, recent years have brought significant personal challenges, putting immense strain on my family. I currently intend to take legal action in respect of a malicious prosecution brought against me, having been cleared of all charges against me, in a case that should never have been allowed to proceed.
“This is incompatible with my position as the Leader of Warrington Borough Council and I have therefore decided not to seek re-election next May. Now is the time to make my intentions known so that arrangements can be put in place in due course with regard to a successor.
“I will look back on my service to our community with immense pride and want to offer my gratitude to all those colleagues whose support has been invaluable. In time, I hope to offer myself again for public service and will continue to do all I can to ensure our town builds on the success we have achieved.”

My letter to Warrington on not standing for re-election in May 2024. pic.twitter.com/Mj3lUTMqoH

— Cllr Russ Bowden (@CllrRussBowden) October 28, 2023