A FORMER Southampton City Council cabinet member is to step down in the forthcoming elections this year after more than 10 years serving the city.

Bitterne Park Conservative councillor Peter Baillie has decided not to fight for his seat at the Civic Centre in May.

Cllr Baillie, has been Bitterne Park Ward councillor since 2002 and during his time on the council has been the cabinet member for children's services.

Until 2012 he was cabinet member for housing and regeneration.

Peter said: “It has been a privilege to represent the people of Bitterne Park and I have enjoyed every minute of my time on the council.

“I feel the time is right to move on to other challenges.

"I would like to thank the people of Bitterne Park for allowing me to represent them, the officers of the council for their unfailing help and courtesy over the years, and my group for being so encouraging and trusting, especially when I was in the cabinet.”

During his time on the Conservative cabinet Cllr Baillie oversaw the introduction of the Oasis Community Learning to take over two academies in Southampton – a decision which angered opposition members.

A past chairman of Bitterne Park Community Action Forum and Bitterne Park Traders’ Association he has run a community pharmacy in Shirley for the last 22 years.

Conservative Group Leader, Royston Smith, paid tribute to Peter.

He said: “Peter and I have been friends for years and we have both come a long way since our days as traders in Bitterne Park Triangle.

“He was a great asset to our group and his forensic mind and sharp wit will be missed by everyone who has had the pleasure of working with him. We wish him luck in his future endeavours away from politics.”

Former Bitterne Ward Councillor David Fuller will contest the seat on May adding that Cllr Baillie would be “a hard act to follow”.