Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan to stand down at local government elections

Councillor Mark Macmillan - Image credit: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

An award-winning council leader has announced he will not stand in next year’s local government elections.

Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan, who was named Scottish Local Politician of the Year 2016 at last week’s Politician of the Year awards, says he now wishes to pursue a career outside local politics.

The 45-year-old Labour councillor, who grew up in a council house in Paisley, was first elected to Renfrewshire Council in 1999 and became council leader in 2012, when Scottish Labour took over as the administration. 

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He is also chair of the 2021 Partnership Board, which is bidding for Paisley to be named UK City of Culture 2021, and is the portfolio lead for enterprise for the Glasgow Region City Deal.

Macmillan said: “I believe this is the right time for me to move on and build a new career outside of local government politics.

“This is a decision that is entirely personal and has not been made lightly, but it is the right one for me and for my family.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the town I was born and brought up in and I wish to thank my constituents and the electors who have put their faith in me over the years.

“I would also like to thank officers and employees of the council for their hard work and commitment to local people.

Macmillan said he would see out his term of office as leader of the council and leave the council “in the best position possible for the future”.

“When I became council leader I made a commitment to local people and to my Labour colleagues that I would not manage decline, but would constantly seek to bring about change to make lives better. I remain convinced that this was the right approach,” he added.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale praised Macmilan’s contribution to local government. She said: “Mark Macmillan has been an extraordinary public servant and I would like to thank him for the outstanding work he has done for the people of Renfrewshire.

“While I am sad that he is leaving local government, Mark can be very proud of his legacy.

“After many years in office he has been instrumental in the changes that have been delivered in the region, despite the financial challenges faced as a result of SNP cuts from Edinburgh.

“Labour can make a real difference to people’s lives in local government, and the party will put forward candidates for next year’s elections who will fight to stop further SNP cuts.”