Council leaders announce their retirement

A Derbyshire council leader and deputy leader have announced they will retire from their positions.

Bolsover District Council's leader Steve Fritchley and deputy leader Duncan McGregor were both appointed at the local elections in 2019 and together have more than 90 years' experience in local government.

The pair, who made the announcement at a Labour group meeting on Tuesday, said in a statement: "We came as a team and we will go out as a team."

A new leader will be appointed at a full council meeting on 29 January, who will then select a new deputy leader and cabinet at a later date.

Labour lost control of Bolsover District Council for the first time in more than 40 years during the local elections in 2019, as the authority fell into no overall control.

Fritchley and McGregor gathered the support of socially-independent councillors to gain control of the council and formed a cross-party cabinet.

Fritchley, who has been a councillor since 1984 and oversees the Langwith ward, said: "The past 10 years both as cabinet member and leader has been an interesting journey and one that has made me proud of you all and all the staff at Bolsover District Council.

"I am thankful for the support given to me... but there comes a time for change."

The Labour councillor gave special thanks to McGregor for his support and partnership over the years.

McGregor, who is also an Elmton-with-Creswell parish councillor, was honoured by the district council with a lifetime achievement award in December.

"It has been my pleasure to stand with Steve for the past six years as his deputy," said the Labour councillor.

"What we have achieved in such a short space of time should not be underestimated and everything we said we would do, we have done for the benefit of our communities."

Last December, Fritchley was cleared by an investigation of making homophobic remarks against a former Conservative MP.

However, he was suspended from the Labour Party, with an investigation by the party still ongoing.

At the time, Fritchley said he would be saying more in January about his future as leader of the council.

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