East Cambridgeshire District Council’s Leader has confirmed that he will not be standing in May’s district council elections and will therefore be standing down as Leader of the Council.

Councillor Charles Roberts has been leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council since May 2017 and councillor for the ward of Stretham since 2011. He has also held the role of Deputy Mayor for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority since November 2017. He will continue his responsibilities until the district council elections in May.

During his time as a councillor, he has been at the forefront of championing the council’s Community Land Trusts, one of which has been applauded and welcomed in his own village of Stretham and Wilburton.

Since becoming leader for East Cambridgeshire District Council, the organisation has made many strides to make the district a great place to live work and visit. This includes the council improving its waste provision by delivering the service through the council’s trading arm, East Cambs Street Scene, the opening of the Hive leisure centre in Ely, as well as a royal visit to the district by HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. He has also led the council into its sixth year of freezing council tax for its residents.

As well as his roles in local government, he is also a local businessman. These skills have proved valuable in the creation of the council’s trading arms, where he sits as a director. Following 2^nd May, Councillor Roberts will be resigning from his role as director on all of the council’s trading arms.

Councillor Charles Roberts, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to lead this council and be part of some monumental moments for the organisation. We are a can-do council that not only delivers for our residents but does it whilst balancing the books. It has always been my ambition not to raise council tax, car park or other fees and charges unless absolutely necessary and it should always be the last resort rather than the first. Over the past eight years, I have been be part of a team that is committed to making the district a better place and I am confident that this will continue.”

Chief Executive of East Cambridgeshire District Council, John Hill, said: “Charles has been an outstanding leader who has championed this council since his election in 2011. His ambition and passion has made him the talisman for community-led housing in the district and he has steered the council’s trading arm to deliver much needed homes for local people. It has been honour to work with him and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”