Swale council's Cllr Roger Truelove is to stand down as leader after almost three years.

The veteran Labour councillor announced his decision at a full council meeting last night (Wednesday).

He said: “We are now moving towards a new committee structure and I believe it will be in the best interest of this council for someone else to take up the new leadership role for the next 12 months so I will be standing down as leader."

But he promised he will to "continue to play a part" in the new council system for the next year.

The former Sheppey school teacher has served on the authority, covering Sheppey, Sittingbourne and Faversham, for 28 years.

For the past three years the 77-year-old from Sittingbourne has led the ruling 'rainbow' coalition of Labour, Liberal Democrats and independents against the Conservatives.

He admitted: "I was very doubtful about standing as a candidate in 2019 and long ago I decided I would not stand in 2023.

“There are a number of people who have the talent and commitment to take Swale forward, both from the administration or the opposition.

“I have been enormously lucky to have the support of an excellent cabinet over the last few years and I am pleased that we have shown that coalition politics in local government can work."

He added: “I am also immensely grateful to council officers for their hard work, commitment and forbearance.

“Personally, in my time as leader I have tried to bring stability to the council as well as unlock the resources needed to deliver improvements and make us a kinder council.

“The last three years of this council has seen movement in several directions: the constitutional changes; the determination to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping; the enhanced links with the voluntary sector; the climate change initiatives and the improvements to our public realm with a sense of our heritage.

“None of this is work completed but I hope we will see continuity into the committee period over the next year.”

Cllr Truelove, who represents Homewood ward, confirmed he will continue in the role until a new leader is elected at an extraordinary council meeting on Wednesday, April 27.