The deputy leader of Lichfield district council will bid a fond farewell to the city next week when he moves into a new cabinet role with Staffordshire county council. Matthew Ellis, Lichfield District Council’s deputy leader for the last three years, will step down from his position and the council’s executive on July 14 to become cabinet member with responsibility for adults, health and wellbeing. Coun Ellis praised the authority and staff at LDC, and said he will be sad to leave it behind. He added: “Since the June 4 elections I’ve enjoyed elation, satisfaction and excitement all tinged with a touch of sadness. The positives because of my landslide re-election, the success of Conservatives across Staffordshire and my appointment to the county cabinet and the sadness because my leadership role with Lichfield must end very soon. “I’ll miss it tremendously and I’m sad to be stepping down because it has been a real privilege. The people at LDC try so hard and are genuinely passionate about what they do. “Of course we haven’t always got it right but I firmly believe that in the very difficult economic environment for small rural councils of every political persuasion over the last few years, Lichfield district council has performed exceptionally well.” | 
