THE Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr Keith Reynolds, has announced that he is standing down in May after 38 years in local government.

Emerging health issues have led cllr Reynolds to make the decision to stand down ahead of this year’s council elections, which will take place on May 4.

He said: “I am extremely proud and honoured to have represented the community of Aberbargoed for the last four decades and I would like to say a huge thank you to all those who supported me throughout this time.

“I have also had the honour of serving as the leader of council for the past 3 years and I would like to thank my fellow councillors, staff across the authority and our partner organisations for their support too.”

He added: “However, after much consideration and discussions with my family, it is clear that the time is now right for me to move on so that I can focus on my health and spend more time with my wife, our sons and our grandchildren."

Chris Burns, Caerphilly council’s interim chief executive, said: “Keith has been an outstanding public servant and has always had an unrelenting drive and determination to do his very best for the local community. He has been a great ambassador for the authority and the Caerphilly county borough as a whole and it is with great sadness that we accept his intentions to step down.

“On behalf of all the staff in the council, I would like to thank Keith for his outstanding contribution and wish him all the very best for the future."

Councillor Bob Wellington CBE, leader of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), said: “Councillor Keith Reynolds has been at the heart of community politics in the Gwent and Rhymney valleys for forty years. Throughout his long service, Keith has dedicated himself to public services in the area as a councillor in the community of Aberbargoed, working for the Community Health Council and more latterly as leader of Caerphilly CBC.

"Keith has been a valued colleague and friend for a number of years. We are sorry to hear about his emerging health issues and wish him well.

"As the WLGA’s Anti-Poverty and Welfare Reform Spokesperson, Keith has played a central role in representing Wales’ councils and, crucially, Wales’ communities in making the case the Government to seek to mitigate the impact of welfare reform on the most vulnerable in our society. On behalf of WLGA colleagues, I would like to sincerely thank Keith for his contribution over the years and extend our highest regards to him.”

Starting his political career in 1979, Cllr Keith Reynolds has served his local community for 38 years. Married to Sheila for 48 years, they have two sons, four grandsons and two step grandsons.

AM for Islwyn, Rhiannon Passmore paid tribute to Cllr Reynolds.

She said: "I was fortunate to see up close his leadership skills, working with Keith as a fellow councillor.

"Since I became Islwyn Assembly Member Keith has been a great source of advice and encouragement. Keith is a truly genuine and compassionate individual who has worked stoically to steer Caerphilly County Borough Council  through the harshest of times, in the face of the UK Tory Government’s cuts.

"Councillor Reynolds’s commitment, drive  and determination are clear to the residents of his own ward in Aberbargoed as well as across Wales.  I wish Keith a peaceful and happy retirement with Sheila and his family.”

Labour MP for Caerphilly Wayne David said the "local government will be without someone who has enormous commitment and experience."

He said: "He will be missed as leader of the council - and the people of Aberbargoed in particular will miss him."