The former leader of Ashfield District Council - who was convicted of fraud and tax evasion - has stepped down from his role as a councillor, the authority has said.

Jason Zadrozny was found guilty of nine counts of fraud and four counts of tax evasion in September.

He is due to be sentenced on 27 November, and was told he was "at risk of an immediate custodial sentence".

The council confirmed on Thursday that Zadrozny had resigned as councillor for Larwood, adding there would be no by-election until the local elections in May.

A spokesperson for the council said: "We can confirm Cllr Zadrozny has formally resigned as district councillor for the Larwood ward.

"In accordance with electoral legislation, no by-election will be held before the scheduled local elections on 6 May 2027.

"The councillor position will therefore remain vacant until the elections take place."

During his trial, a court heard Zadrozny was accused of setting up a fake heritage group to defraud Nottinghamshire County Council out of thousands of pounds.

Prosecutors also alleged that he had failed to pay tax on four rental properties.

Following Zadrozny's conviction, the 46-year-old resigned from the Ashfield Independents group but confirmed he had not yet resigned as a councillor.

It was announced Zadrozny had then been appointed to the council's planning committee at an extraordinary full council meeting in October.

A council spokesperson said committee appointments were "matters for elected councillors and are made through the council's established democratic processes, including formal votes where required".

A demonstration was held in October outside the council house in protest at Zadrozny being able to remain as a councillor, and 10 Ashfield Independents quit following his conviction.

Protesters told the BBC at the time they had been "let down" by the authority.

John Green, of the Ashfield Community Action Group, said: "We are disgusted that the Ashfield Independents have voted a convicted fraudster on to the planning committee."

Samantha Deakin has taken over as leader of the council, but has so far declined the BBC's request for an interview.

Labour MP Michelle Welsh, whose Sherwood Forest constituency covers part of the Ashfield district, called the appointment a "serious failure of judgement by those who supported it".

A rapid review into the district council was ordered by the government in October after concerns were raised about its leadership and governance.

Responding to a question from Reform UK MP for Ashfield, Lee Anderson, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "We are monitoring the situation. I won't say any more than that at this stage but he has the clear offer of a meeting."

Local government minister Jim McMahon confirmed he had ordered a "rapid best value assessment" to be carried out into the Nottinghamshire authority, which is run by the Ashfield Independents.

Both Welsh and Anderson then called for police to investigate "significant concerns" about the authority, specifically issues that "relate particularly" to the council's planning department, as well as the council's procurement processes.

In response, a spokesperson for the council said it ensured "decisions are lawful and properly governed". Nottinghamshire Police was contacted for comment.

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