Local government reorganisation – and the arrival of a granddaughter – were behind a council leader's decision to step down.

Cllr Gale Waller (Lib Dem) said it had been an honour to lead this "small, but beautifully formed" council hailing Rutland as a "very special place and one of which we are rightly proud".

Elected as leader in 2023 – at the same time as local elections brought about a change in administration from Conservatives to Liberal Democrats – Cllr Waller has now reflected on her three years in charge.

When she announced her intention to step back earlier in March, Coun Waller said she wanted to spend more time with her family, having become a grandmother last year.

A retired teacher as well as a Luton Town season ticket holder, she has lived in Rutland for more than 20 years.

Cllr Waller will remain a ward councillor for Normanton councillor, having first been elected in 2011.

The current leader of the Liberal Democrats in Rutland Christine Wise was elected as council leader last week.

And that change could ultimately mean Cllr Waller takes over as group leader in a job swap.

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In a speech to councillors, she said: "When I became leader I had not anticipated the difficulties the county was in.

"Our budget was heading towards a serious deficit, difficult decisions had been delayed or avoided and the transformation programme had stalled.

"In some areas we had significant staff shortages but under my leadership we got the budget under control, to the point where we only need to increase council tax by two per cent next year." 

Councillor Waller told councillors that the transformation programme was back on track and that staffing levels were "far better".

She pointed to the purchase of new bin lorries to improve the efficiency of waste collection.

And also hailed the arrival of new buses which enabled the rollout of an on-demand transport system for Rutland.

She added: "I am proud of what we have achieved under my leadership, so why stand down?

"What I have not mentioned is the curve ball the government threw at us late in 2024 in the form of local government reorganisation.

"I think it safe to say that if left to our own devices we might well have tried to expand Rutland by joining with neighbouring authorities – but we would not have confined ourselves to the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland footprint required by the government. 

"Nevertheless we did our best in a difficult position and managed to submit a proposal that was the least worst option under the circumstances. 

"During this process I lobbied hard to retain Rutland's civic status and am very pleased, as I announced at the last council meeting, that I was successful. 

"Rutland's administrative boundaries will change but the essence of Rutland will remain.

"Ministers will make their decisions on the reorganisation and whatever the outcome, this council, and a new shadow council elected in 2027, will create the new administrative unit. 

"I believe in succession planning and as I am not intending to stand for the shadow council in 2027, it is important that whoever leads the council now is around to finish the job as a councillor of the new authority in 2028. Continuity is key and I cannot provide that continuity."

Cllr Wise is expected to announce her new cabinet later this week. She told last week's full council that independent councillor Oliver Hemsley, also a former leader of the council when he was a Conservative, would be joining the cabinet.