The leader of financially stricken Nottingham City Council has announced he is stepping down in May.
Cllr David Mellen has been in charge of the council since 2019 but has decided not to run for re-election.
The council declared effective bankruptcy in November and in February the Government appointed commissioners to run the authority.
Nottingham CC’s financial difficulties stem from the collapse of council-owned energy firm Robin Hood Energy, which cost taxpayers £38m, the impact of austerity-era cuts, and an increase in demand on services.
Cllr Mellen admitted to the BBC that it has not been five years of ‘unrivalled success’.
‘Some people will say it's my fault – and they do – and others will see a bigger picture of the context in which I've been the political leader of the city council.
‘Whether I've got everything right or wrong, others will judge, but I've been committed to the city that I've lived in for 40 years.’
