EAST Hampshire District Council leader Ferris Cowper has announced out of the blue he will be resigning from the authority.
He said has announced his decision now to ensure a smooth transition in May for a new leader of East Hampshire District Council (EHDC).
Cllr Cowper, 67, who has twice been the council’s leader, says he wants to devote time to more personal goals, such as family, music, motor racing, and learning to fly an aircraft.
The majority Conservative councillors will elect a new group leader on May 18, and will then nominate their candidate for election as EHDC leader at that month’s council meeting.
Cllr Cowper says after then he plans to continue as a ward councillor, but won’t stand as a candidate in the 2019 local government elections.
Cllr Cowper, who represents Grayshott, said: "I feel that political leaders have a habit of outstaying their welcome and I do not plan to let that happen to me. I want to step down while I’m still at the very top of my game."
As leader he used his background in the private sector to restructure how the council carries out its business.
It now generates income by selling its services and, through deputy leader Cllr Richard Millard, is building a property portfolio to achieve the best return for investment.
Last month it announced a 2.6 per cent cut in its share of council tax – the only local authority in England and Wales to reduce it’s bill to residents.#
It also revealed plans to do away with council tax altogether in the future.
Cllr Cowper said: "I feel I have achieved an immense amount for the community across the board. “EHDC is a record breaking council with a radically innovative attitude to all services and business initiatives, not to mention the national exemplar regeneration project in Whitehill and Bordon.
"The council is in a good place, so this is a good moment to hand over the leadership."
His other achievements include the launching the Butserfest music festival for young people, an Autosolo motoring event for budding drivers and the East Hampshire Sports Awards.
In his resignation statement, Cllr Cowper said: “Our council has moved on dramatically when I resumed the leadership in 2013 and that is down to all of us. Nobody did it for us. Just us.
“I’ve laid out a vision of how a local council can be something very different from what is expected and thanks to the council staff we are doing just that.
“I could not have wished for a more wonderful group of staff and councillors. They have supported me, challenged me, helped and guided me. We have worked as a great team and if I have any regrets about stepping down it is the fear that I may lose that inspirational connection with you all. But on reflection, while I may cease to be leader after May 18, I’ll still be working with you all until 2019.
“Whatever role I am offered after May 18, I know that I leave the council in the hands of one of the most capable, motivated and inspiring groups of people it’s ever been my pleasure to work with.”