Council leader quits top post after five years

THE leader of Telford & Wrekin Council has announced he is to step down from his position next month.

Cllr Kuldip Sahota has been leader of the council since May 2011 and will resign from the position prior to Telford & Wrekin’s Annual General Meeting on May 26 when the council will elect a new leader.

Cllr Sahota said: “The last five years has seen this council achieve an incredible amount against a backdrop of the deepest cuts to council budgets ever and the probably the toughest financial outlook this council has ever faced.

“I joined this council aged 50 and next month I mark my 65th birthday. I feel it is the right time to hand the reins on to a new leader who can continue to move this council forward in a very challenging climate.

“I am very proud of what Telford & Wrekin has achieved since 2011.”

During his time with the council he said there had been a number of significant landmarks, such as the development of the new mixed-use Southwater complex, securing the MoD Fulfilment centre at Donnington for the borough and reducing youth unemployment.

Attracting new businesses to the area and seeing economic investment increase were also milestones, he added.

He will remain a councillor on the local authority, serving the ward of Malinslee and Dawley Bank.