Former Ashfield District Council Leader Resigns After Fraud Conviction

Jason Zadrozny, the former leader of Ashfield District Council, has resigned from his role as a councillor for the Larwood ward. The resignation follows his conviction in September on nine counts of fraud and four counts of tax evasion. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 27 November and was informed he is at risk of an immediate custodial sentence.

The council confirmed Zadrozny's resignation on Thursday and stated that no by-election will be held until the local elections on 6 May 2027. The position will remain vacant until then.

In an email to fellow councillors, Zadrozny expressed his thanks and apologies for his 19 and a half years of service. Following his conviction, he resigned from the Ashfield Independents group but had not previously resigned as a councillor. He was subsequently appointed to the council's planning committee in October, a decision that was criticised by Labour MP Michelle Welsh as a "serious failure of judgement".

Concerns about the council's leadership and governance led to a rapid review being ordered by the government in October. Both MP Lee Anderson and MP Michelle Welsh have called for a police investigation into the council, specifically regarding its planning department and procurement processes.