The outgoing leader of Havering Council has praised his minority Conservative administration for “keeping the ship steady” for the borough’s residents over the last four years.

Cllr Roger Ramsey, who has led the borough for a combined total of 10 years over his 36 years as a councillor, decided in the wake of this month’s election not to stand for leadership of the borough again, but will remain on the council and take up a position as cabinet member for finance.

The Emerson Park councillor told the Recorder: “I thought that with the years catching up with me it would probably be a good time for someone younger to take over.

“These four years have been quite exacting, but I think we have managed to achieve quite a lot.”

“I am quite proud of the progress this council has made over the last four years – particularly with the delivery of the Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre in Romford and the way we have had to cope with the financial problems caused by austerity.

“At the beginning of my four years in charge, although being the largest group on the council we were still six councillors short of a majority, but despite this we never lost a vote in the chamber.”

The borough’s former deputy leader, Cllr Damian White, has now taken over as leader of the borough’s Conservatives and has submitted a motion at the council’s next meeting on Wednesday (May 23) to be named council leader, although this will be opposed by Residents Association councillors backing Cllr Clarence Barrett and Independent Resident Group councillors backing Cllr Jeff Tucker.

Cllr White praised Cllr Ramsey for his “many years of selfless public service” and heralded him as “a complete role model” for younger councillors starting out in local politics.