THE ACTING leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has said that his job now is to keep a “steady ship”.

The news comes after Cllr Ken Rhatigan confirmed last week on Thursday, February 3 that he had resigned from his role of leader of the council.

This means that under the council's rules the deputy leader Cllr Simon Bound will now act as leader.

SEE MORE: Council leader resigns from top role with immediate effect

Cllr Simon Bound, said: “It came as a surprise for everybody but people have to do what they have to do as far as their personal lives go and what decisions they need to make.

“The focus for me now is to make sure that we carry on with all of the really important work that we are doing on the recovery of the people and coming out the pandemic.

"It is a really important time for us as a council including protecting our community from developers who want to build a lot of houses so there is quite a lot of work to do be done there, we have a lot of pressure on our natural environment and meeting challenging targets for climate change.

“I want to keep a steady ship and all the things we want to achieve for our residents are really important.”

He said that he has a very good understanding about the work that needs to be done and has been acting leader before.

He hopes to put himself forward as a candidate for the permanent role.

He added: “I saw somebody who said you need to read what Ken said he said some really nice things about you and I am really grateful for his kinds words.

“I absolutely see myself as a strong candidate to take over leadership of the council and I have had really broad portfolios, everything from planning, infrastructure, community, safety, working with Parish Councils so I really get the challenges.

“I know the promises developers make and don’t keep and that’s really important, so we do the right thing by our residents.”

READ MORE: 'It is a big shock': Opposition leaders react after Basingstoke council leader resigns

Cllr Rhatigan resigned from his role for personal reasons.

He said: “I am sure the Conservative group will put many people forward and I hope that my deputy leader will put himself forward because he has made a great leader behind me, and he works very hard.”

A spokesperson for Basingstoke and Deane Council, said: "A new leader will be appointed at a Council meeting.

"The next Council meeting is on Monday 28 February."

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