Hampshire County Council leader Keith Mans steps down

The leader of the Hampshire County Council has revealed he is set to quit the top role after 10 years at the authority.

The 76-year-old announced to colleagues that he will leave his post in May during a full council meeting this afternoon (Thursday, February 17).

The Conservative councillor cited last year's successful county elections and having "guided" Hampshire through the Covid crisis as reasoning for his decision.

He said the move would also allow time for his successor to consider the council's work post Covid alongside the government's devolution white paper.

On a more personal note, the former environment and defence select committee member has said he's also hoping to spend more time with his family.

Cllr Mans will formally step down at the council’s annual general meeting on Thursday, May 19.

After May, he'll continue to represent the Brockenhurst division until the next election in May 2025.

Cllr Keith Mans has announced he is to step down as leader of Hampshire County Council

In an open letter to the public announcing the news, he said: "This statement is to announce my intention to stand down as the leader of Hampshire County Council at the county council’s AGM on Thursday May 19, 2022. I made a public statement to this effect at the council’s meeting on Thursday, February 17 which is the last full council meeting before the AGM.

"My decision follows last year’s successful county elections for my party and having guided Hampshire through the Covid crisis that is now, hopefully, increasingly behind us. Also, we now have the government white paper on devolution in front of us. I feel that by stepping down in May, my successor will have time to consider the post Covid work patterns for the county and to take forward the opportunities provided for Hampshire by the white paper.

"After May, I will continue to represent the Brockenhurst division until the next election in May 2025, as well as being able to spend more time with my children and grandchildren to celebrate our golden wedding anniversary in August.

"I want to end by thanking Carolyn Williamson and her predecessor, John Coughlan, and all their teams for their exemplary service particularly during the Covid crisis, also my deputy Rob Humby and my cabinet for all their support, and to all councillors, regardless of party, for their contribution in seeing us through this crisis.

"Hampshire County Council has by far, been the best organisation I have been part of during my working life, with competent and professional officers and staff, and considerate councillors of all parties. They underpin a wider community that contributes so much to the quality of life in our county.

"This has all helped make my time as leader such an enjoyable one."

Cllr Mans represents the Brockenhurst division on Hampshire County Council and had previously represented Lyndhurst.

He was an MP for Wyre in Lancashire between 1987 and 1997 and parliamentary personal secretary to the secretary of state for sealth.

He previously served as an RAF officer and then became a senior executive with the John Lewis Group.

Cllr Mans has been a Hampshire county councillor since 2009, taking on the role as deputy leader of the council in 2013.

He took over from Roy Perry as leader of the authority in 2019 after the former member of the European parliament also stood down from his post.