Staffordshire County Council has a new acting leader after Martin Murray stepped down, with Reform UK now on its fourth group leader since taking control of the authority in May 2025.
Councillor Hayley Coles has taken over with immediate effect, while Stone Rural North councillor Sean Bagguley has been appointed acting deputy leader.
The changes were announced on Tuesday 27 October, just seven months after Councillor Murray was formally elected as leader of the county council.
Councillor Murray confirmed his resignation from both the council leadership and the Reform UK group leadership in a statement published on social media.
He said
“This was a difficult decision, but the interests of Staffordshire, the Council and those we serve must come first.”
He said he was proud of his administration’s achievements, including delivering a balanced budget, protecting frontline services and securing investment in highways, children’s services and community facilities.
No specific reason was given for his decision to step down.
Councillor Murray will remain a Reform UK county councillor representing Cannock Town.
Fourth Reform group leader since May 2025
Councillor Coles becomes the fourth person to lead the ruling Reform UK group since the party won control of Staffordshire County Council at the May 2025 local elections.
The leadership changes began with Councillor Ian Cooper, who became council leader following Reform UK’s election victory.
He resigned in December 2025 after being expelled from Reform UK for failing to disclose a social media account. He also faced allegations concerning racist social media posts.
Councillor Martin Murray, who had been deputy leader, became acting council leader following his departure.
In January 2026, Councillor Chris Large was selected to lead the Reform UK group. However, he stepped down just days later following a family bereavement, before he could be formally elected leader of the council.
Councillor Murray continued as acting leader and was subsequently chosen to lead the Reform UK group in March. He was formally elected council leader on 26 March.
The appointment of Councillor Coles now brings the total to four Reform UK group leaders in less than 18 months, although not all four have formally held the council leadership.
Conservative group leader Councillor Philip White has questioned the repeated changes, telling ITV News that having a fourth Reform UK leader in around 18 months was “deeply concerning”.
Hayley Coles takes over with Stone councillor as deputy
Councillor Coles, who represents The Heaths division in Tamworth, was previously deputy leader of the council and will retain her cabinet responsibilities for communities and culture.
Speaking following her appointment, she said
“I feel privileged to have been trusted to lead the council into this new chapter.
“My focus now is to drive forward the delivery of our plans for the county.”
She said she intended to advocate for residents and businesses and ensure people received effective and efficient council services.
Councillor Sean Bagguley, who represents Stone Rural North, has been selected as the new deputy leader of the Reform UK group and becomes acting deputy leader of the council.
He will continue in his existing role as Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, having been appointed to that position in February.
The leadership changes come at an authority responsible for services across Stone and the surrounding area, including highways, libraries, education and social care.
Councillors will formally select the Leader and Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council at a meeting of the full council on Thursday 10 December 2026.
See more A Little Bit of Stone in Google
Add A Little Bit of Stone as a Preferred Source to make our stories more likely to appear when you search Google.
Related Posts:
