WARRINGTON Borough Council leader Cllr Terry O’Neill has announced he will retire from the role by the end of the year.

Cllr O’Neill (LAB ­– Burtonwood and Winwick), who has been in the post since 2011, made the announcement during the Labour group meeting at the Town Hall this evening, Thursday.

He confirmed he will formally step down before December’s full council meeting.

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But Cllr O’Neill has vowed to continue giving the authority, as well as the party, his ‘full support’.

He said: “Succession planning in political leadership is never easy, which is why I have taken some time to carefully consider current and future issues before making this statement.

“I have been your leader since we took control in 2011 and previously played a major role in political leadership terms since 2006.

“Since 2011, despite the inflicted Tory austerity we have had great success.

“We have led an economic renaissance for the town including the redevelopment of our town centre, we have kept council tax rates one of the lowest in the north west and we have rejuvenated many parks and community centres, including the hugely impressive Walton Hall estate.”

The group thanked Cllr O’Neill for his efforts and gave him a round of applause.

And the leader praised councillors for their support.

He added: “I believe, despite Government policy, we are delivering on our four pledges that were made in our 2016 manifesto.

“Of course, there is more to do – in particular to focus on protecting our vulnerable citizens and resisting locally damaging Tory policies which may lead to more inequality.

“As Tony Blair and Gordon Brown realised, however successful the leadership and its achievements, no one should go on forever.”

Cllr O’Neill said he believes retiring from the post will allow the new leader to ‘adequately prepare’ for a new manifesto ahead of the all-out elections in 2020.

He is due to continue serving as a ward councillor after retiring from the role.

Labour group members, who are interested in becoming the next leader, have around four weeks to put their name forward.

A Labour group meeting to select the new leader is planned to take place at the end of November, with the new leader expected to take over at December’s full council meeting.

The Warrington Guardian understands deputy council leader Cllr Russ Bowden is interested in becoming the next leader.