Cllr Toby Savage, the Conservative Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, will stand down at this year’s local elections after becoming a father for the second time.
Toby has led South Glos Council since 2018 and has represented the Longwell Green ward as a councillor since 2015.
In February, he became a dad for the second time and has decided not to seek re-election as a councillor in order to dedicate more time to his family.
During his time as Leader of the Council, he has overseen a huge boost in education standards in local schools, with the number of pupils being taught in Good or Outstanding schools increasing significantly
Under Toby’s leadership, the Conservatives have achieved record recycling rates and have put South Glos among the top councils in the whole country for recycling. They have delivered new public transport infrastructure, including new park and ride provision and MetroBus extensions, and put record investment into local high streets to boost the economy.
The South Glos Conservatives have done all this, and more, while ensuring it remains free to park in call Council-owned car parks.
With such a list of achievements under his belt, Toby has decided that now is the right time to hand the leadership baton to somebody else.
Toby said: "I have recently been given a promotion to Dad-of-two and will therefore be standing down from South Gloucestershire Council at the forthcoming local elections on 4th May.
“I have been Council Leader for just under five years and it has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve the area in which I was born and brought up.
“These past years have been unprecedented and exhausting. We have led the local responses to a global pandemic, a war and a worldwide cost of living crisis.
"But we have also stayed true to the promises we were elected on four years ago. Throughout all of this I have been honoured to work with extraordinary people both inside and outside the Council, who serve local people with dedication and distinction. I am proud to be leaving at a time of record high performance for the council on school standards, recycling and investments into our communities, to name just a few.
“During my first three years as Council Leader, I was in the fortunate position of being able to throw myself entirely into my passion for public service. That changed in 2021 with the birth of my son Laurie, now two, and then again with the arrival of my daughter Dorothy last month. I have realised how precious these first few years are and I am excited about having more time to dedicate to my growing family.
“I look forward to continuing as councillor for Longwell Green and Council Leader until 4th May. We have a strong record going into these local elections and the Conservatives are the only party with a positive plan for our area's future. I wish my successor all the very best.
“I have been deeply honoured to have spent the last five years in public service and I hope to return to it one day in the future."
