By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Cotswold District Council’s leader Joe Harris will step down in May after six years in the role to focus on his role as vice chair and leader of the Liberal Democrat group at the Local Government Association.
The Cirencester councillor says it has been the “honour of his life” to lead the area he grew up in.
Cllr Harris, who was first elected to the authority at the age of 18 in 2011, has served as Leader of Cotswold District Council since 2019.
He led two successful election campaigns taking the Liberal Democrat Group from opposition to majority control, becoming the first ever Lib Dem leader of the council at just 26 years old.
He has since led the council through a global pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis, and an ambitious restructuring programme that successfully brought its staff back in-house.
Under his leadership, he says the council has achieved several significant milestones.
These including a green economic growth strategy can be linked to creation of at least 500 new jobs in the district and working with housing providers, hundreds of affordable homes have been delivered in Cirencester, Moreton-in-Marsh, Tetbury and Kempsford, many with state-of-the-art energy efficiency technology.
Other achievements include the council’s award-winning Crowdfund Cotswolds scheme has raised over £1 million to support local projects and good causes since being launched in 2021, the introduction of one of the country’s most generous council tax support schemes, along with a comprehensive package of help and advice for those struggling with the cost of living, has ensured that the most vulnerable residents are prioritised.
And ongoing efforts to make the council’s local development plan ‘green to the core’ will not only help reduce carbon emissions but also save residents money on their energy bills – all while preserving the historic character of the Cotswolds.
Cllr Harris said: “It has been the honour of my life to serve as leader of Cotswold District Council and to lead the area in which I was raised. I love living here, and seeing many of my friends fleeing the area we grew up in because of high housing costs has always driven me as Leader to make a difference.
“I feel proud to have played a small part in delivering more affordable housing and supporting people with the cost of living, particularly when they needed it the most.
“Leading the council through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis has been demanding, yet incredibly rewarding.
“I am proud of our brilliant communities, and, of course, our dedicated council staff, whose efforts have been so important in overcoming many hurdles.”
Cllr Harris is standing down as Leader of the Council to focus on his other roles, mainly as vice chair and leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at the Local Government Association (LGA), an organisation which represents councils across England and Wales.
He will remain as a District Councillor for St Michael’s in Cirencester and is seeking re-election to Gloucestershire County Council in May.
“There are lots of changes happening within local government, and now feels like the right time to shift my focus towards the sector.
“The Government is pursuing plans to restructure local government by replacing district and county councils with large unitary authorities, and my role at the Local Government Association is key in making sure this is done properly and with local communities in mind.
“I look forward to devoting more of my time to this role while continuing to serve as a District and County Councillor to my hometown of Cirencester.”
The Liberal Democrat Group will now start a process to elect a new Group Leader who will become the next leader of Cotswold District Council at the Council’s annual meeting on May 21 2025.
Cllr Harris will remain as leader of the council until then.