NYCC head to stand down after 14 years

North Yorkshire County Council's top-ranking councillor is to step down after 14 years in charge of the authority.

Cllr John Weighell will leave his posts as leader of both the council and it's ruling Conservative group later this month. His group will be select a new leader on May 13th with the authority's new leader chosen on May 20th.

Cllr Weighell, who represents NYCC's Bedale electoral division, intends to remain a councillor following but believes that standing down now would enable his party to have a new leader in post well ahead of elections in 2018.

Speaking of his decision to resign, Cllr Weighell, said "It's a job I have enjoyed, one of the best jobs in local government. North Yorkshire deserves a strong council to represent its interests and to deliver important services.

"My role has been shaping polices and services within what we can afford from government grants and council tax. In recent years, we have become leaner and more efficient to cope with reductions in funding. Wherever possible, we have made savings from the council's bureaucracy rather than frontline services. We've also promoted innovation and found new ways of working, for example with partners and communities. Basically, we've worked as hard as we can to protect important services for the public."