THE leader of Cumbria County Council, Rex Toft, has announced he is standing down to spend more time with his family, and his daughter, who has breast cancer, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate.

Coun Toft will end his time as leader on September 16, and will not be standing at the elections in May 2005.

He said: "It is with regret that I have decided, purely for personal reasons, not to put my name forward again for the next elections. In view of that decision, I will be standing down as leader so someone else may lead the council into the next election.

"There are a number of reasons for my decision. I need to spend more time with my wife and family. By the next election, I will have been a county councillor for 20 years and I have recently had my 70th birthday. It is now time for me to make way for someone else.

"Sadly, this is a very distressing time for my family. One of my daughters, Michelle, is suffering from breast cancer. She is putting up a brave and courageous fight, but it is taking its toll and we all want to spend more time together and support her and her family."

Coun Toft said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the council, and appreciated the friendship given by members of the Conservative group and the other political parties.

He said he had particularly appreciated the "excellent" relationship the Conservatives had enjoyed with the Liberal Democrats, and said that the joint administration was a strong one.

He added: "There are many able colleagues who can fill the vacancy which I will leave. Whoever is selected to succeed me will have my full support. I would like to thank all the officers and staff for the professional support and the willing help and advice which they have given me over the years. I greatly value their friendship and expertise."

A new leader will be elected this month.

Coun Toft has overseen some rocky times at CCC, including the early retirement of chief executive Louis Victory last year, which coincided with the authority being branded "weak" by the Audit Commission. A Social Services Inspectorate report had previously stripped the social services department of its one star status.