A FORMER Newport City Council deputy leader has announced he will stand down next year.

Cllr Mark Whitcutt is a Labour councillor for the city, and has represented the Gaer ward since 2002.

He was first elected in a by-election in 2002, and has held the posts of deputy leader of the council and deputy mayor, as well as cabinet member for human resources and assets, leisure and culture and finance and equalities.

And today he has announced he will stand down at next year's Local Government Election.

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In a statement, Cllr Whitcutt said: “I thank the Labour Group for placing their trust in me over this long period.

“In that time, I have achieved a number of positive changes including major development of the equalities agenda within the council and working with external partners to promote equalities across the city. I hope and believe that I have made a difference to people’s lives in Newport.

“I have decided that now is the right time for me to leave the council. I have recently become a solicitor-advocate which will enable me to practise in the higher civil courts of England and Wales. This is a new challenge for me.

“I feel now is an opportune moment to move on to a new phase in my life and career and look forward to doing so.

"I wish my successor all the best.”

In his message to the Gaer Branch Labour Party, Cllr Whitcutt said: “It has been a privilege to have been selected as a Labour candidate by the members of Gaer Branch Labour Party and to have been elected by the good people of the Gaer and Maesglas over five elections. I would like to thank them for placing their trust in me over the last nearly 20 years.”

Cllr Whitcutt was chairman of the transport scrutiny committee and the first councillor to be elected after Newport gained city status.