A MAJOR shake-up of Newport council is guaranteed because a huge body of councillors are stepping down.

Around a third of council seats - 16 members, including several key players - will be replaced on polling day in June.

Among those bowing out are council leader Sir Harry Jones, controversial roads boss Graham Dally, deputy leader John Jenkins and schools chief John Pembridge.

In all, 14 Labour councillors are retiring, plus longstanding Tredegar Park councillor Garry Brown and Tory leader William Graham AM.

Chris Freegard, managing director of Newport council, and the returning officer in the election, said: "The council is set for one of the biggest changes it has seen. This is a big chance for voters to shape that change."

Sir Harry and the ruling Labour party have started the ball rolling on a huge challenge for the city.

The council has worked with regeneration experts Newport Unlimited to design a vision for a revitalised Newport in 2020.

Work on the masterplan has already begun - the Southern Distributor Road and The Riverfront theatre and arts centre are due to open in the coming months.

The incoming leadership will have to help ensure that other aspects of the vision - such as the £115m redevelopment of John Frost Square and Newport's 'shopping experience' - go from the drawing board to reality.

Other hot issues include the possible closure of primary schools in Bettws and Malpas; antisocial behaviour; road repairs; and the shortage of carparking in the city centre.

Another test for the future council will be how they handle new Assembly standards for housing for 2012.

The council needs £240m to upgrade its houses to meet the new basic standards - but expects to be £158m short. One option would be to offload all council houses onto a housing association.