Cash-strapped council's leader to step down

The leader of a cash-strapped council will step down in May after three years in the role.

Dexter Smith, a Conservative, has led Slough Borough Council since May 2023 and has led its Tory group since January of that year.

He announced earlier that he will not seek re-election as the group's leader at the end of this month and will not seek re-election as a councillor next year.

In March, local government minister Alison McGovern said the authority lacked "resilience" and "strategic focus" and would be the subject of a new external review.

The council has been granted Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the government – a type of borrowing to help local authorities fund day-to-day spending – since 2018.

Smith told the Tory group he will remain "fully engaged" in serving the council until his successor is chosen at the council's annual general meeting in May.

"I know I must stand aside now for someone else who you can unite behind in contesting that election because only in unity can we achieve victory," he said.

"I wish you and my successor well; I am doing this in your best interests, and for our party's best interests – we must all remember that ours is a great party – more important than any individual – and serve it accordingly."