South Ribble Council leader resigns
South Ribble Council will appoint a new leader next month after incumbent Peter Mullineaux announced his resignation after two years in the role.
Mullineaux will step down from his role at the council’s annual business meeting on 17 May, and his replacement will be appointed on the same day.
A former engineer, Mullineaux also sits on the board of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, and has served on the council’s cabinet since 2007.
Despite stepping down as leader, he will remain in his role as ward councillor for Samlesbury and Walton.
Major developments that have got under way during his tenure include the £430m Cuerden mixed-use project south of Preston, which was granted planning permission by the council in September 2017.
He said: “It has been an absolute honour and privilege to serve the people of South Ribble and I would like to thank my fellow councillors and the council’s dedicated staff who have supported me throughout and who have consistently gone above and beyond to make sure our residents get the quality services they deserve.
“My cabinet and I have worked tirelessly to get this council into the position we are in today, making great strides in taking ownership of the borough’s economic growth, with a new five-year corporate plan and a budget that will give the people of South Ribble exciting opportunities for the future.”
Mullineaux is the latest council leader to announce his departure next month, with leader of Preston City Council Peter Rankin also due to step down. Rankin will not contest next month’s local election as he continues his recovery from a brain tumour.
