Anglesey council leader 'will step down'

Mr McGregor says he will not seek election as leader again in May

Anglesey council leader Clive McGregor is to step down, BBC Wales has been told.

Mr McGregor has informed members of the council, put in special measures by the assembly government in 2009, that he will not seek nomination for re-election as leader.

He will continue until May.

The BBC understands the move has been prompted by councillors in and outside the ruling coalition working together to secure a new council leader.

Letters have been sent to all members of the authority by Mr McGregor.

In the letter Mr McGregor writes: "I wish to inform you that I intend to continue as leader of the council until the annual general meeting on May, 2011.

Co-operation

"I will not be putting my name forward for a further period as Leader of the authority."

A spokesperson for the Welsh Assembly Government said the issue was a matter for the local authority.

The council was put under special measures by the assembly government in 2009.

It followed a damning report by the Auditor General for Wales after an inspection revealed weaknesses in the way the council was run.

Last month Anglesey and Gwynedd councils agreed to an assembly government request to find ways of working together to save money.

Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant said working together was the only way the councils could make enough savings.