The chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA) has announced he will step down as leader of his authority, Kensington and Chelsea RLBC.

Leader since 2000, Sir Merrick Cockell has seen the authority through changes including the shift to the tri-borough partnership – the flagship shared management deal with Westminster City Council and Hammersmith and Fulham LBC.

Communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles has paid tribute to Sir Merrick, describing him as a ‘true public servant and local champion’.

‘Under his leadership the council has achieved some incredible things for the residents of Kensington and Chelsea. The tri-borough initiative he helped spearhead is a shining example of shared services savings to all in local government,’ Mr Pickles said.

Sir Merrick said: ‘It’s been my good fortune to work alongside an unusually talented and dedicated group of councillors and officers.

‘Together I think we have done a good job for our residents. Our services have been excellent, our taxes low. And in the days when there was a lot more money around we didn’t squander it, but used it wisely to build for the future.

Sir Merrick will continue his role as chairman of the LGA for a further year, until Conservative group rules mean he will have to step down after his three-year team. He will also remain a councillor in Kensington and Chelsea’s Stanley Ward.

A new leader will be elected by the Council on 22 May 2013.

In addition, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson has recently appointed him to the deputy chairmanship of the London Pensions Fund Authority.

Following his elevation to leader of the council in 2000, Sir Merrick was chairman of London councils from 2006-2010. He was knighted for services to local government in 2010, and elected chairman of the LGA in 2011.