A veteran council leader is to retire from politics next year as it would be "ridiculous" to carry on given his age.

Cllr Gerry Clarkson, 84, has led Ashford Borough Council since 2013 but will step down at spring's local elections.

The Charing representative, who lives in the village, was first elected to the borough council in a 2006 by-election.

He was made leader by the Conservative-majority council in 2013 following the sudden death of then-leader Peter Wood.

"I'm in my 84th year now, and I think anyone with any logic and good sense would say ‘I think that’s enough,'" Cllr Clarkson said.

“If I stood again I’d be almost 90 when I finish the next four-year term, and that’s quite ridiculous, it’s just as simple as that."

The next local elections are to be held in May, at which point Cllr Clarkson will have been leader for just over a decade.

He was a member of the London Fire Brigade for 30 years, four of which (1987-1991) he spent as Commissioner of the London Fire service.

After retiring from the fire service, he ran his own business for 10 years, while serving two four-year terms on the Kent Police Authority.

Cllr Clarkson says he’s especially proud of development in Ashford.

“I am very happy with how Elwick Place went – I’m sad that Macknade decided to quit there, but it’s a wonderful space, and that will be filled," he said.

“We’ve got Brompton Bikes coming in over the next few years, you’ve got Jasmin Vardimon’s new international studio in Ashford, and Kent Music has moved in from Maidstone into Ashford – you can’t make it up really, there’s so much going on.”

His office hasn’t all been plain sailing, however.

In 2019 he survived a vote of no confidence from his own group of Tory councillors.

“Only about four people voted for it, and the mass of them voted to support me, but that wasn’t reported," he said.

“I was due to stand down at Christmas, but my own group, most of the group, asked me to stay on until May, so that must tell you something,” he added.

Cllr Clarkson announced he will be stepping down as a leader at a meeting of ABC's cabinet last week.

'It is too early to speculate who will put themselves forward...'

Following the news, the authority's deputy leader Cllr Paul Bartlett (Con) wanted to express his admiration for his colleague's "hard work" as leader.

"He has delivered Junction 10a, Elwick Place, Commercial Quarter, secured the long-term success of Tenterden Leisure Centre with roof repairs; these and 'Ambitious Ashford' projects will ensure the long-term success of the borough," Cllr Bartlett said.

"I am confident that the excellent record of the administration will be reflected in the May results.

"One of the first decisions of the new council will be to elect a new leader.

"I expect there to be a very talented pool of councillors following the election; it is too early to speculate who will put themselves forward as some of us have elections to win beforehand."

ABC's portfolio holder for economic development, Cllr Nathan Iliffe (Con), thinks Cllr Clarkson has “transformed Ashford".

“He is a man who’s been in public service his entire life, a former chief of the London Fire Brigade, and I would say he’s a true gentleman and public servant, he’s done a lot of good for Ashford,” he said.

On who will succeed him, Cllr Clarkson said: “Whichever the party is that’s in power will select their leader – I just wish them all the very best.

“I’ve enjoyed working with the members, and I include in that the opposition members.

“Although we have party political groups, we’ve all worked together for the benefit of the people of Ashford, and that’s what we’re elected to do.”