SOUTHAMPTON’S veteran council leader is to stand down to make way for younger blood.

Councillor Alec Samuels, who was swept to power three years ago, has announced he is quitting the £35,000 role aged 80.

He is thought to be the oldest city council leader in the country and admitted “I am certainly not getting any fitter, cleverer or sharper – probably the reverse.”

He has been elected leader of his Conservative group for the past eight years.

Cllr Samuels said: “I wouldn’t wish to go on forever, nor would anyone else. But now there is a critical situation in public affairs. We have a new national government funding horrific costs left by Labour and the council will soon have a new chief executive.

“My feeling was it is as good a time as any to retire. I have a strong team which includes promising young members. I leave the council, cabinet and the city in good heart.”

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Under Cllr Samuels’s leadership the Tories seized majority control of the council for the first time in 24 years two years ago.

He pointed to his administration’s record of providing value for money, making the largest investment in the city’s roads and working to support communities as well as tackling crime and antisocial behaviour.

He has also overseen major developments in the city such as the building of the Ikea superstore, the Carnival UK headquarters, and the revamp of Guildhall Square.

Cllr Samuels’s deputy Royston Smith is expected to become leader.

Councillor Smith failed to become a city MP in the May General Election despite achieving a massive swing from Labour.

Other contenders could include the council’s finance boss Jeremy Moulton and former Tory group leader John Hannides.

Cllr Smith paid tribute to Cllr Samuels’s “legendary” commitment to public services and said he was honoured to have served alongside him. He said he had not decided to stand and added: “Everyone is welcome to put their hat in the ring.”

Cllr Samuels, who was first elected to the council in 1976, is a married father-of-three. He came to Southampton in 1954 and worked as a lecturer at the University of Southampton.

Cllr Samuels will officially step down on July 14 when an election for the new council leader will take place. He will continue as a ward councillor for Bassett.