Council leader to stand down

- Wed 10th Oct 2007

The Leader of Havant Borough Council, David Gillett, has announced today that he will be standing down as Leader at the end of this term, May 2008.

Cllr Gillett said "It has been a privileged and an incredible experience to have led the authority for nearly nine years. Havant Borough Council is a complex business delivering a range of over 200 different services to 45,000 homes, 116,000 residents and 4,500 businesses. We have had to take some very difficult and tough decisions over recent years and I will be standing down in the knowledge that it is now a business fit for the future."

"Our very pro-active regeneration policies are now bearing fruit, inward investment is at an all time high and the age old problem of learning and skills deficiencies is being addressed by a brilliant new partnership developing between schools, colleges and businesses."

"When I started as Leader in May 1999 I said that we had 10 years to put the Borough on a path to success, a path that could not be shifted whoever was to follow us in years to come, I believe we have achieved that goal."

"The primary reason that I have chosen now to step aside is purely personal. The last 10 years have been 100% council work and much though I have loved my role as leader I need to develop a new career and create some financial security for my family. I will not be resigning as a Councillor and will be available to give support and advice to my successor.”

The Conservative Group will select a new leader in the spring prior to the borough elections in May. A new Leader will take over at the Council's annual meeting in May following these elections and in the meantime Councillor Gillett will continue in his role as Leader of Havant Borough Council.

- Sent via Havant Borough Council

By forum user, Mat

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