Council Leader Mike Davey & Deputy Alice Gilderdale will resign in May. A new Labour leader will be chosen soon.
Mike Davey has led the council since 2023 and was re-elected last year. He will stay a councillor for Petersfield, while Alice Gilderdale represents East Chesterton.
Gilderdale is moving to London and will resign from the council. The Labour Party will pick a new leader on May 11, and the council will vote on May 22, at the council’s annual general meeting.
There are no city council elections this year, and Labour will still be the ruling group; the group leader becomes council leader. Both councillors want a smooth transition, and a new leader will take over soon.
They said leading the council was both challenging and a pleasure, working well within their effective council team. They cared about the local community, and this team tried to do what was best for Cambridge. They feel they are leaving behind a helpful Labour administration.
They helped residents during the cost of living crisis and managed growth, housing, and climate concerns. Furthermore, they reviewed council governance thoroughly and tackled devolution and unitary authority issues. Austerity caused financial pressure while service demand increased.
They built many council homes, 730 since 2018, and opened community centers like Meadows and Cherry Hinton hub. Additionally, they invested millions in parks, pools, and leisure centers; their council housing work received national praise.
Being a councillor takes time, money, and emotional energy, and roles must become accessible to more people. They had resources to dedicate to their positions, and it is now time for others to assume these duties.
They appreciated working with executive councillors and will focus on their roles until mid-May to ensure a smooth handover process. They appreciate the trust and support given to them, and both will continue fighting inequality and injustice.
Davey wants to spend more time with family and focus on his ward councillor work. He seeks to enjoy time with his young grandchildren and also wants to spend more time near Abbey stadium.
Gilderdale has been a councillor for four years and has lived in Cambridge for 27 years. She wishes her Labour colleagues the best, and her best wishes also go to East Chesterton residents.
A council by-election will be held for East Chesterton alongside county and mayoral elections. These elections will take place on May 1.