A new leader of Worcester City Council could be in position as soon as next Tuesday.

Conservative Councillor Chris Mitchell has put forward a motion, which if passed, would see his leader, Councillor Marc Bayliss installed in the top job.

Currently Cllr Bayliss is the deputy leader of the council, with Labour’s Councillor Adrian Gregson as leader.

Cllr Mitchell’s motion says: “In order to reflect the democratic will of the people, in the event of a hung council,the leader of the council is drawn from the largest group and the deputy leader of the council is drawn from the second largest group.”

The Conservatives are the largest group with 17 councillors, but Cllr Gregson was kept on as leader by 16 Labour and two Green councillors.

But since Labour councillor for Warndon, Elaine Williams resigned last week, Labour only have 15 councillors. That could see a tie on the motion, but Conservative mayor Steve Mackay would have the casting vote.

Cllr Mitchell said: “We suggested a year ago that the leader should be from the largest party, or a joint leader system, but the Labour Party and the Greens weren’t interested. If it is passed then we should remove the leader and deputy leader then and there and vote new ones in.”

The council’s current leader Adrian Gregson said: “They’re playing political games. It’s the last council before the election. They’re doing it because they think they can because we’ve lost a councillor.”

But Cllr Bayliss said: “It would reflect the political make-up of the council, but I’d be very happy if a consensus emerged around having joint leaders.”

The meeting is at 7pm on Tuesday 27 March at the Guildhall.

Mrs Williams stepped down for personal reasons and did so now in order to allow a by-election to be held at the same time as city council elections on May 3.