THE councillor who built a local protest into one of the largest opposition groups on Herefordshire Council in just four years has confirmed this morning (Friday) that he is stepping down.

Councillor Mark Hubbard will be succeeded as the Leader of It’s Our County (IOC) by Councillor Anthony Powers, ward member for St Nicholas.

Coun Powers will lead IOC into the next local elections in May 2015.

IOC called a leadership election after Cllr Hubbard took a unilateral decision that it was time to move on from the leadership role.

“Being member for Central Ward, a big, busy, nonstop action ward at the heart of the county, along with my expanding workload with Friends of Castle Green, fast-becoming the biggest community project in the history of the city, is quite enough for one person,” said Cllr Hubbard.

“It’s Our County has become a vibrant local political party that prides itself on its clear thinking and straight talking - independent of national party politics," he said.

"Having helped set the party up, I feel it is now time to pass on the mantle of leadership to someone capable of building on the good work we are all doing.

Coun Powers said it was an “honour” to succeed Coun Hubbard.

“Mark has done a wonderful job and has been an inspirational leader," he said.

"Taking the party from the an idea of how politics might be done differently to what is now accepted as the main opposition on Herefordshire Council.

"I look forward to continuing the work to develop a real alternative to the current Conservative administration."

Coun Powers steps up on Monday, September 16, Councillor Liz Harvey is to stay on as deputy leader.