Two senior Powys County Councillors are to quit their posts.

Cllr Martin Weale, cabinet member for Economy and Planning and Cllr Stephen Hayes, cabinet member for Adult Social Care have announced they are stepping down from their cabinet roles.

Cllr Weale, who represents Llanbadarn Fawr and has been a member of the cabinet since May 2017, said he was stepping down with immediate effect. He is a member of the Independent Group.

Cllr Hayes, who represents Montgomery, has also been the cabinet member for Social Care since May 2017.

The Leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris thanked Cllr Weale and Cllr Hayes for their contribution to the cabinet.

She said: “I thank Martin and Stephen for their work and wish them well for the future.

“Their resignations give me an opportunity to review cabinet portfolio responsibilities as part of a business case to ensure we have the right balance for the council’s operating structure.

“I will make a further announcement within a few days. I have been considering expanding the cabinet for a while and am preparing a business case to be considered by the Council’s democratic services committee, to add an additional two members to the cabinet – one from the Independent Group and one from the Conservative group.”