ALREADY council insiders are speculating as to who will succeed Robert Nye as leader of Horsham District Council.
Mr Nye dramatically resigned as both leader and a Conservative councillor on Wednesday due to financial difficulties with his business.
Now members of his Tory group will choose a new leader - probably in February.
In the interim, deputy leader Ray Dawe will take on the role on an acting basis.
But speculation is already gathering pace as to who will take over.
It will be a tough job - balancing the demands of a difficult economic climate and the need for cost controls with the expectations of residents over the facilities they benefit from.
Brian Donnelly is already being suggested as one possible candidate.
But who else?
Read our expert commentary in this week’s West Sussex County Times, on sale Thursday December 15.