Coronavirus pandemic prompts Peterborough council leader to postpone retirement

Cllr John Holdich was due to step down at the elections in May after 43 years in local politics but has reversed his decision.

He announced the U-turn after the local elections were postponed due to the spread of Covid-19.

Writing in his weekly Peterborough Telegraph column, the Conservative member for Castor and Glinton said: “At the start of the year I announced I would be retiring at the local elections in May.

“The Electoral Commission announced last week that all elections will be postponed for 12 months. Having discussed it with my family and the Conservative group on the council, I have decided to postpone retirement and remain a councillor and will be standing for leader again in May.

“In these times of uncertainty and in the interests of stability, I consider it the right thing to do.”

The Tory council group traditionally chooses its leader the week after the local elections every year.

The party currently holds 28 out of 60 seats on the council but is in power thanks to the support of the Werrington First group of three councillors.

Last week, cabinet member for finance Cllr David Seaton, who was also due to step down in May, announced he too would remain at the Town Hall for the time being.

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