Cheshire West and Chester Council’s finance guru is to step down from his position as deputy leader.

After more than 40 years in local government, Cllr Les Ford, who will also give up his position as executive member, resources, has decided to relinquish his “50 hours a week” posts, at the council’s annual meeting on Thursday, May 15.

But the former leader of Vale Royal Borough Council will continue to serve the interests of his Helsby ward until the next elections in May next year.

Since CWaC’s inception in May 2009, he has led a financial management team that has saved £133m and re-invested £47m into front line services.

Despite massive reductions in central grant, council taxpayers have enjoyed a freeze in three of the five years and below-inflation rises in the other two.

The authority has invested around £28m in state -of-the-art sports and leisure facilities in Ellesmere Port and Northwich and more than £37m in a new cultural centre for Chester.

At a time when major development is at a standstill in many parts of the county, the council has provided vital financial backing to enable £380m worth of retail development in Northwich and Chester.

Cllr Ford said: “The past four years or so have been an incredible challenge – a challenge I have enjoyed, particularly the re-organisation of our services to meet the demands of a ever -shrinking budget.

“However, at the grand old age of 78, I have finally come to the conclusion that it is time to start thinking of a long-suffering family and perhaps spend a little more time relaxing.”

Council leader Mike Jones paid tribute to the work of his group’s resources lead which had put the authority at the forefront of financial management and local government change.

“The residents of West Cheshire owe him a huge debt of gratitude. We respect his wishes to retire from local Government but recognise that he will be a very, very hard act to follow,” said Cllr Jones.

A qualified chemical engineer and management accountant, Cllr Ford spent 26 years with ICI, ending up in research management.

He held the positions of president and chief executive of the International Fine Particle Research Institute Inc from 1985-1999, and is a visiting professor in particle technology at Leeds University.

Cllr Ford was director of Abbey Gate College from 1992-2006, where he was responsible for finance.

He entered politics in 1970 when he was elected to Hitchin Urban District Council, later becoming vice chairman. He stepped down in 1975 when he relocated to the North West with his job.

He resumed his political career in 1999 when he was elected to Vale Royal Borough Council, becoming finance chief in 2004 and leader in 2007.

Cllr Ford lives in Helsby and is married with two grown up children and six grandchildren.

He will now have more time to enjoy a wide range of interest including badminton, squash, his allotment and philately.