STRATFORD District Council leader Chris Saint has resigned his position.
Coun Saint – who has led the Conservative group and district council for the last seven years – failed to keep the leadership of the ruling Tories at the group’s recent annual meeting.
And following the lost leadership vote he then announced he would stand down as council leader on Friday (May 11).
It also comes after the veteran councillor had suffered health issues in recent months.
His replacement and a new cabinet will be announced at the district council’s annual meeting on Wednesday (May 16).
He will remain in his role as councillor for Shipston North.
Coun Saint said: “It has been a privilege to have been given the opportunity to serve as leader of Stratford District Council.
“Despite the changing and challenging local government landscape in recent years I have enjoyed playing my part and found it hugely rewarding.
“None of what I have achieved as leader has been achieved alone. I have been incredibly lucky to have a team of talented councillor colleagues and a set of dedicated council officers alongside me.”
The dad-of-five has served on the district council for the past 20 years after first being elected for Tredington ward, where he lives with wife Linda. Following a boundary review he was elected to the Shipston North ward in 2015.
He grew up in Essex before moving to Rugby, then Daventry. He previously worked as an engineer, lecturer and a consultant.
A council spokeswoman said: “Coun Saint has been instrumental in the adoption of the planning core strategy document, successfully helped steer the district council’s recent positive peer review and leaves the district council in a strong financial position.”
