A Kenilworth councillor has stepped back from his role as portfolio holder for decarbonisation at Warwick District Council (WDC).

Cllr Lowell Williams made the announcement yesterday (March 25) and it follows his appointment to a major new NHS leadership role, alongside changing personal commitments.

He will stay on as a district councillor and the administration has confirmed Cllr Hema Yellapragada as his successor.

In February, the Kenilworth Park Hill representative was appointed as a Non-Executive Director on the new joint board of The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust.

From April 2026, the two trusts will come together under a single board, with a combined turnover of more than £1.4 billion.

Cllr Williams said: "This new role highlights the essential role the NHS plays in people's lives — a reality I am now experiencing both professionally and personally.

"Alongside this, my wife has recently been diagnosed with cancer, and we are at the beginning of what will be a demanding cancer journey. This will require more of my time and focus in the months ahead.

"For these reasons, I have taken the decision to step down as portfolio holder."

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In his new role, he will chair the joint finance and productivity committee and serve on the joint board.

In a media statement, the Green group at WDC has praised his work leading on "key initiatives" in the local area.

This includes decarbonisation of council buildings, improving energy efficiency of council houses, pushing for Passivhaus homes scheme and works on the Abbey Fields cycle path.

The Green councillor also paid tribute to council officers, thanking the decarbonisation and assets teams for their "exceptional professionalism and commitment".

Cllr Williams added: "While I am stepping back from this portfolio, I remain fully committed to representing residents in Kenilworth and supporting the work of the council in the months ahead."

Cllr Ian Davison, leader of Warwick District Council said: "It is with sadness that I agreed to Cllr Lowell William stepping down from the decarbonisation portfolio.

"This comes as he's taken a major NHS role which makes our issues trivial in comparison. His wife's chemotherapy has just started so it's an extremely difficult time for them both.

"I want to thank Lowell for his hard work and dedication over the last couple of years in cabinet. His passion for the environment and for doing right by our residents has seen some excellent achievements under his leadership.

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"He will be missed on cabinet. However, I'm pleased to confirm that Cllr Hema Yellapragada is our new cabinet member for Decarbonisation, who we are confident will continue the great work under this portfolio."

Cllr Hema Yellapragada, the new portfolio holder for decarbonisation said: "I wish Lowell and his family the very best in this difficult time.

"I am honoured to take on this role, and I look forward to getting stuck in, continuing the Low-Cost Low Carbon Energy Programme, providing more affordable renewable energy for our communities and helping ensure people can live in warm, affordable homes while cutting their energy bills.

"With the unjust war in the middle east, it has never been more vital to accelerate our work on renewable energy supply, to stop our dependence on gas and oil."