Gloucestershire County Council leader is stepping down

The leader of Gloucestershire County Council, Councillor Mark Hawthorne, is stepping down this September 2024.

He has been at the helm of the county council for 14 years, having first served as leader of Gloucester City Council from 2004 to 2007, before going on to be elected as county councillor and appointed as cabinet member for environment in 2009, then being elected as county council leader in 2010.

During his tenure, Mark helped to establish Gloucestershire's reputation nationally as a founder member of the Western Gateway.

As a member of the Local Enterprise Partnership board, he helped secure a billion-pound investment pipeline and delivered a number of high-profile infrastructure projects — such as the Fastershire programme to roll out better rural broadband in Gloucestershire; the A417 Missing Link; and spent £250 million on improving the county's roads — as well as allocating Levelling Up funding for a variety of community projects. 

He steered the council through two once-in-a-lifetime events, with the Covid-19 pandemic and the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

He also made contributions to culture in the county, securing Stage 7 of the Tour of Britain in 2023. 

Mark said: 'It has been an enormous privilege to lead this council for the past 14 years. Whilst deciding to take a step back has not been easy... I will do all I can to support the new leader to hit the ground running and will continue to represent the people of Quedgeley until the elections next year.

'It has been an honour to meet so many members of Gloucestershire communities over the years; to hear what is important to them; what is impacting on their lives and to do everything possible to address them.

'I am immensely proud of all we have achieved on behalf of the county, especially the progress we have made on driving forward the green agenda and for the transformation we have delivered across many of our services.

'The commitment and effort I have witnessed during my years as leader means I am confident services will continue to go from strength-to-strength.'

Announcing his departure on LinkedIn, he also praised the staff 'whom do an extraordinary job often against a difficult backdrop', saying their dedication and commitment has been a personal inspiration. 

Mark is continuing in the role until a new leader is elected at September's Full Council meeting.