Councillor John Leek decided a new person should take the helm after leading the Conservative administration for two years.

TheGazette understands that Cllr Andrew Finney is set to replace him. The Conservative group unanimously agreed on Tuesday to put Cllr Finney's name forward and the Tory majority should ensure the nomination is confirmed when the full council meets next Thursday.

Cllr Finney, who is currently deputy council leader, refused to comment.

But Cllr Leek said: "Being leader of the council is quite a demanding job and I'm getting older and, frankly, I'm looking forward to doing more of the things I like to do.

"I'm coming up to 67 and I think it's time for a change."

He listed his administration's successes as securing the arrival of clothing store Primark in The Malls, working on the regeneration of Basing View and the Central Area Vision and the reopening of The Haymarket.

"The fact that we obtained a majority of 10 at the last election demonstrates we did a fantastic job for two years," he added.

Cllr Mark Ruffell was reappointed Conservative group leader on Tuesday after stepping down a month ago for work reasons that proved to be less pressing than anticipated.

He said: "We now have 35 councillors and we really want to roll out the Conservative programme.

"We look forward to putting green policies at the top of the agenda and, at the same time, making the borough safer with more visible policing and working to improve the services we provide."

Labour has selected 46-year-old Cllr Laura James as leader after an election where it lost two councillors, including group leader Gary Watts.

Cllr James said Labour councillors would work hard in their wards.

"It's about listening to, and working with, the local communities," she said.

Her priorities are housing, regeneration, anti-social behaviour and the services people receive.

The Liberal Democrats meet on Monday to pick their group leader. So far, the only name put forward is current leader Cllr Paula Baker.