An Isle of Wight councillor has stepped down from his crucial executive role, in a further blow to County Hall.

Cllr Karl Love has today (Wednesday) announced his departure from cabinet and his role as the lead for adult social care and public health, which he held since May 2021.

It is ahead of the annual full council meeting, which determines which councillors hold certain committee roles, including the council's chair, vice-chair, and chair of the planning committee.

Speaking about his shock departure, Cllr Love said he was happy with the things he, the adult social care and public health teams had achieved but was finding it more difficult to remain in post.

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Cllr Love confirmed he was an independent in the Alliance but he would work with anyone who has an idea for the better of the Island people.

He was appointed after the Alliance Group took the reigns of the Isle of Wight Council, and filled the executive positions with Alliance councillors.

Under the important adult social care and public health portfolio, responsibilities include nursing care, social workers, supported living and early help services.

In the past year, Cllr Love said he had found it stressful trying to make the pounds stretch the extra mile and balancing staffing issues.

With continual cuts to budgets, the Isle of Wight Council last year had to find savings from other areas of the authority to balance the debts of adult social care.

The ruling Alliance Group has also taken another blow this week as Cllrs Chris Jarman, Dave Adams and John Medland left to start the Empowering Islanders group along with Cllr Peter Spink, who had left the Conservatives.

A fourth Alliance member also left, Cllr Michael Lilley, who went to join the Liberal Democrats.