Jason Kitcat is to stand down from Brighton and Hove City Council
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Jason Kitcat, the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, is standing down at the next election, Brighton and Hove Independent can reveal.
In a statement published in today's newspaper, Councillor Kitcat - who has represented Regency ward since 2007 - discloses he will no longer be active in politics after May 7 next year.
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Hide AdHe insists he wants a new challenge, but is keen to continue in public service in some way.
The shock disclosure is certain to trigger a citywide debate about the future of the Green Party; it will be portrayed by rivals as further evidence of the failure of the "Green experiment" in the city.
Cllr Kitcat, however, said the decision had been a family one. Making clear his determination to continue as council leader for another 10 months 'as there's lots to do', he said: "To have been able to serve my second term as a councillor in administration, leading our city, has also been an immense honour."
His Polish-born wife, Ania - who has been the other Green councillor for Regency since 2011 - will also be standing down next May. The couple, who are currently on a city break overseas, have two children: an eight-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son.
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Hide AdCllr Kitcat - who has dual British and Canadian nationality and is fluent in French - has told friends that he intends to continue living and working in the city, unless any future opportunities require a move: "He is ready to consider anything that matches his passions, skills, and interests."
His departure comes after a particularly tumultuous period, since the last council elections - including the CityClean dispute, repeated attempts from within the Green Party to undermine his leadership and unseat him as leader, and a failed attempt to hold a referendum to win support for a proposed 4.75% increase in council tax to mitigate the effects of government-imposed spending cuts.
Who in their right mind would join a political party?