In the wake of council leader Mark Topping's shock decision last week  to quit the top job at Forest of Dean District Council (FoDDC), an attempt has been made to head off a move later this week which would see the baton being passed to another Green Party councillor.

FoDDC is currently led on a confidence and supply basis by the Green Party (15 seats), with the underpinning of Labour's supporting six seats.

Last May's local elections projected Mark Topping into the hotseat after the Green Party's share of the pie rose by nine seats while the Independent group shed four seats and Labour saw no change to its representation. The Conservatives, meanwhile, lost six seats and the Lib Dems gained one.

But the independent element of the council has now launched a bid for power through a direct approach to Punchline-Gloucester.com in the form of an open letter appealing for previous leader, Progressive Independent Tim Gwilliam, to be appointed back in the role.

Cllr Julia Gooch, who represents Newent and Taynton, wrote: "Tim has shown he has the qualities necessary; he has a proven track record; he can put his personal political views aside and work with all political groups. I am asking that colleagues in the chamber will forget personality clashes and take the opportunity to reflect, take a moment in time to save the FoDDC."

In the letter to Editor Mark Owen, Councillor Gooch said: "I would like to publicly reach out to the Green Party who will be proposing a new leader on Thursday after Cllr Mark Topping steps down.

Extending "our absolute best wishes" to Cllr Topping and hoping "that leaving a post that is extremely taxing personally will enable him to regain the balance in his life he needs," she said:

"The resignation after just eleven months in office comes just a few months after his deputy stood aside and a number of Cabinet posts changed."

She added: "It is no real surprise to many of us who predicted as such after the election last May and we take no personal pleasure from that. It was obvious that a Cabinet made up of so many new inexperienced Councillors would struggle with the demands of strategic leadership in their first term as a Councillor."

The letter went on to question the suitability of any candidate with less than a year's experiencein office: "On Thursday we will see a proposal for a new Green Party leader who has eleven months experience in local government. Is he equipped or qualified to lead our Council or will we see one resignation after another before the four-year term is out?"

Cllr Gooch added: "Is not it time for ALL of us to draw a line, forget any unpleasantness, put political differences aside and work in unity for the benefit of all the residents across the entire district?"

She added that Green Party councillors and supporters "must realise deep in their hearts the Greens are not sufficiently equipped to lead the Council after witnessing two resignations, additional Cabinet members recruited as well as reshuffling their portfolios!"

She said: "More than ever the Forest District needs a strong voice, we need stability and an unfloundering leadership to see through major projects, legal issues, and the withdrawal from the shared services Publica model as well discussions now that a devolution deal has been signed.

"We need a consensus; we need to put political agendas and personal differences to one side.

Of course, the Greens and other groups should have major input in the strategy of the council, but we need a leader with a proven track record, someone who can deliver even when faced with adversity, a Leader who is bold and determined to succeed for the benefit of our residents and the future of the Forest District."

Cllr Gooch said she will propose Cllr Gwilliam with the support of colleagues Cllrs Bernie O'Neill and Jamie Elsmore.

● Punchline-Gloucester.com says: "What's your view of where the leadership crown should now rest? Ahead of May's local elections and the uncertainty of when a general election may come, let's hope that political concensus settles at Coleford, whoever leads the administration.