A LEADING Essex County councillor has stepped down from his role in cabinet ahead of his retirement next year.

Rodney Bass, councillor for Heybridge and Tollesbury, will retire from the council next May after deciding not to stand for re-election.

Mr Bass, who has been a councillor since 1967 and a county councillor since 1997, has relinquished his role as cabinet member for infrastructure.

He took up the infrastructure role this year having served as member responsible for highways and transportation from 2003 to 2007 and again from 2013 to 2015.

He was also vice chairman of the county council from 2008 to 2010 and chairman from 2010 to 2012.

The announcement, on Tuesday, came on the same day it was revealed Mr Bass had been nominated for a lifetime achievement award at the National Councillor Achievement Awards in recognition of his 49 years of service.

Mr Bass said: “I am very proud to have served the County Council in a number of roles, and the nomination for a Lifetime Achievement Award is a surprise and a great honour. At the age of 71, it is now time for me to retire.”

David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, added: “Through his time working on the cabinet Rodney has played an integral role and has overseen what is one of the council’s toughest and often controversial portfolios.

“His tenacity, attention to detail and knowledge will be greatly missed by councillors and officers alike, and he has helped us not only drive forward important highways and infrastructure improvements, but has also played a vital role in helping us start to reshape the council to help us meet the financial challenges we face.”

Mr Bass also served on Maldon District Council from 1967 to 2007 and is a Great Totham parish councillor.