Council Leader announces he is not seeking re-election in May
Councillors and democracy18 February 2025
Jason Smithers has announced that he will not be seeking re-election at the local elections on May 1, 2025.
Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council, is the first Leader of the authority which was set up as a result of local government reform in April 2021.
His announcement comes at a time when the Council is setting its fifth balanced budget in a row, whilst making significant investments in local public services and delivering vital efficiency savings.
The financial stability that has been achieved at the Council is a significant accomplishment and has put the Council in a strong position for the future.
Through his leadership, Jason has ensured that the Council has and continues to make a significant investment in local highways, schools, and a wide range of community facilities and services, including the award-winning Chester House Estate.
Jason has driven the development of strong service and financial performance management, alongside improvements in the working conditions and cultures for the Council’s workforce, all of which are vital for the delivery of quality public services.
The progress that has been made at the authority in the past four years was recently recognised by the Local Government Association after it conducted a corporate peer challenge of the Council last Autumn.
A report that followed the visit praised the leadership of the authority along with strategic direction and partnership working, as well as the committed, hard-working staff.
It has been a privilege and honour to be the Council’s first Leader and to serve everyone in North Northamptonshire.Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council
The Council has made excellent progress in the achievement of its ambitions, and it has been great to be part of this team effort. It has been a pleasure and an honour working with elected members, staff, partners and of course our local communities who are at the centre of everything we do.
I feel that I have helped get the authority off to a solid start. Now feels like the right time for me to transition into semi-retirement, focus more on my family and on new opportunities ahead.
My intention from the outset was to do one full term at the Council but this was always subject to making the right progress which I feel has been achieved.
I would like to thank all those in North Northamptonshire who put their faith in me and who gave me this opportunity.
The local elections for North Northamptonshire will take place on the May 1, 2025, soon after which the Council will choose its next Leader. Jason Smithers will continue as Leader of the Council until that time.