Councillors have unanimously called for the heads of a struggling hospital trust to resign.

Pressure is continuing to mount on Darren Grayson and Stuart Welling to step down as chief executive and chairman of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

A notice of motion passed by Eastbourne Borough Council last night, calling on Mr Grayson and Mrs Welling to take the "honourable" course of action and stand down.

The motion also called for the trust to be placed in special measures.

Last night's vote comes after members of East Sussex health overview and scrutiny committee declared a vote of no confidence in the two men at a meeting on Friday.

A damning report into the trust was issued by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)  earlier this year following an inspection in September and it was given an inadequate rating.

The results of a follow-up visit made in March are due to be published in July.

CQC inspectors found a “worrying disconnect” between senior managers and frontline staff, allegations of bullying and a leadership described as a “dictatorship”.

Concerns were also raised about the trust’s surgery and maternity and outpatients services.

The trust says it was already aware of many of the issues raised in the report and steps were being taken to improve them.

Mr Grayson and Mr Welling say they have  no intention of standing down as they still have a job to do and changes had already been made.

The notice of motion was moved by council leader David Tutt and seconded by Colin Murdoch.

It said: “That in light of the unanimous vote of "no confidence" in the chief executive and chairman of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust by the East Sussex health overview and scrutiny committee, Eastbourne Borough Council calls upon the chief inspector of hospitals to place the trust into special measures and write to the Secretary of State to make him aware of this action. 

“We also call upon the individuals concerned to take the honourable course of action by resigning their posts and allowing the trust to rebuild.”