NEWSFLASH: Melton Borough Council leader to stand down

Speaking at full council meeting tonight (Wednesday) councillor Rhodes (Con), who has served as leader for the last five years, said: “It has been a great pleasure and privilege to have had the opportunity to serve in this role.

“But, as time goes on, I have found that the demands of the job and my other roles in local government are of such a magnitude that it is sensible to step back and concentrate my energies on a more restricted portfolio of responsibilities.

“There are other councillors who will come forward to take my place so I know that the council will be well led in the future.

“It is my intention to continue to serve as a ward councillor for Long Clawson and Stathern ward until the elections in 2019.”

Fellow Tory councillors Leigh Higgins and Joe Orson paid tribute to coun Rhodes’ leadership.

Coun Higgins added: “Byron has always put public service and delivering quality services at the heart of his vision.

“It is his work building partnerships with other councils and Government that has allowed Melton to punch above its weight and win external funding for major projects.

“Some may say true leadership is about taking difficult decisions. Not only has Byron demonstrated he can take those difficult decisions he has gone to great personal lengths at solving the challenges that lay ahead of us, yet providing a strategic vision for a better future.”

More to follow.