Why is Sir Richard Leese stepping down as city council leader and when?

“It had to happen at some time and this is as good a time as any.”

Sir Richard Leese revealed on Tuesday night that he plans to step aside the top job at Manchester City Council in earyl December.

He made the announcement after informing his Labour colleagues that he was standing down from his lengthy tenure as leader.

His decades in the post oversaw the regeneration of the city centre following the Arndale bombing early in his leadership, through to the formation and development of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. He plans to leave his ward role on the council ahead of the local elections in May 2022.

What reasons has Sir Richard given for standing down?

In a statement, he said: “This is an entirely personal decision reflecting my personal priorities for the next few years. I want this to be my decision, it had to happen at some time and this is as good a time as any.

“My commitment to the city and the city region remains undiminished and I am confident that with a strong body of councillors determined to deliver the Our Manchester Strategy supported by an excellent political executive, a Strategic Management Team as good as it has ever been, thousands of great council workers, hundreds of enthusiastic partners and good potential candidates to take my place, the work will continue to enable Covid containment and recovery, and build a healthier, wealthier, happier, fairer and greener Manchester.

“It has been an enormous privilege to serve the people of Manchester over this period of time and my heartfelt thanks goes to the thousands of people who have worked with us over the last 25 years.”

What have others said?

Joanne Roney, chief executive of the city council, described Sir Richard as a towering figure in the life of Manchester, which has been transformed during more than a quarter of a century of his leadership from a declining, post-industrial city to the fastest growing city in the UK which can face the future with confidence.”

She added: “He has also helped lead the city through some difficult times, including the aftermath of the 2017 Manchester Arena terror attack and most recently of course the challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Oldham West & Royton MP Jim McMahon added: “Thank you for your public service Richard, you’ve lead and changed Manchester for the better and will be leaving a great legacy.”

Rose Marley, CEO of the Co-op, tweeted: “So many things you have done for this city but without a doubt all of the following would 100% not exist without you @sharpfutures @sharpproject @SpaceStudiosMcr @TogetherMCR @MIFestival thank you and thank you for everything you have taught me working on all of the above!”

Timeline of Sir Richard Leese’s political career

1984 – first elected to City Council

1990-96 - Deputy Leader

May 1996 - Becomes Leader

June 1996 - IRA Manchester city centre bomb

1996 - Manchester Millennium Limited established to oversee the transformation of the city centre

1999 - New East Manchester urban regeneration company established

2002 – Manchester hosts the Commonwealth Games, at the time the largest multi-sports event ever hosted in the UK and the catalyst to the wider regeneration of East Manchester and unparalleled investment in sports and leisure facilities around the Etihad Campus.

2006 – Knighted for services to local government

2007 – Manchester International Festival established

2011 – Greater Manchester Combined Authority established, with Sir Richard as vice chairman in November 2014 – he was signatory to the Greater Manchester devolution agreement with central government, which gives greater powers to the Combined Authority working together with a directly-elected GM Mayor.

Feb 2015 – Signatory to the Greater Manchester Health and Devolution Memorandum of Understanding outlining plans to integrate health and social care in GM and devolve the NHS budget to the region.

April 2016 – The MoU agreement comes into force

May 2017 – Appointed as Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester

2017 – Manchester Arena terror attack

2018 – Huge Northern Gateway initiative announced, the biggest regeneration scheme in the city since East Manchester

March 2020 – Takes over as GMCA portfolio holder for health and care and as chairman of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership