City council leader stepping down

The leader of City of York Council has announced he is to step down after five years in the role.

Steve Galloway, who has led the Liberal Democrat group for nine years, said: "It's a very demanding job. I think it is the right time to make a change."

The 59-year-old said he was proud to have helped the city's economic revival and would remain active on the council as its Westfield ward representative.

His former deputy Andrew Waller is in line to replace him.

'Demanding job'

Mr Galloway said: "We have seen a lot of improvements in the city over the last few years.

"The city's economy now is very robust, the council will always have its own financial problems but we have at least achieved stability there.

"The remaining challenges should be addressed by somebody new, someone who can look ahead for the next three, four years or beyond.

"I have reached an age now where I don't think I could be able to do that.

"It is a very demanding job, 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and I think there are other things I want to do at my time of life."