Rutland council leader steps down from role

The leader of Rutland County Council has announced she is stepping down from her role.

Gale Waller, a Liberal Democrat, has led the authority since 2023, and survived a vote of no confidence brought by the Conservative group last August.

She said she will continue to serve as a councillor for the Normanton ward, adding her time as leader "has been a tremendous honour".

A new leader is set to be elected following a full council meeting on 26 March, with deputy leader Andrew Johnson taking over in an acting capacity.

Having served at a time when the future of Rutland as an independent authority has been under review, Waller said the council now has "a balanced budget and ambitious capital programme".

With the authority receiving "written assurances from government regarding the retention of our civic status", she said she is looking forward to balancing her commitments as a ward representative with spending more time with her loved ones.

"I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved together, despite the significant challenges facing our small but exceptional rural county," she said.

"Amidst one of the busiest and most challenging periods that we have ever faced in local government, many people will know that I have also become a grandmother.

"Having committed every ounce of my time, energy and focus to leading this council over the past three years, I now want to spend time with my family."

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