SWINDON Council leader Rod Bluh is preparing to resign officially at a meeting tonight following a record seven continuous years in charge of the authority.

Coun Bluh (Con, Old Town) announced his intention in February, saying the decision was tough, but he needed more time for his own affairs – and he needed to earn more money for his eventual retirement.

The Conservative group, which holds the majority on the council, has chosen Coun David Renard, the deputy council leader, as its new group leader.

He will be formally put forward for election as the new leader when Coun Bluh resigns at tonight’s full council meeting.

Coun Bluh said: “At the time I made the decision and the announcement, it was quite an emotional thing to do.

“When you are doing a job you feel passionate about and there’s always a lot more still to do, it’s quite difficult to voluntarily walk away from it.

“It’s been the most engaging, different job I have ever done. That was quite difficult.

“Several days later I’m feeling in a good space. I feel satisfied that my seven years has been as successful as I could have hoped.

“I have had oodles of messages from people saying they’re sad I’m going which is nice to receive. And I’m ready for the next challenge but it will feel odd for a while still, I’m sure.”

Coun Bluh said he had largely spent the last few weeks clearing up loose ends.

But he had not started any new projects, instead referring important issues to Coun Renard, the cabinet member for children’s services, who has been choosing members to join his cabinet if he is elected.

Coun Bluh said: “I’ve been clearing up loose ends and doing the bits I needed to do.

“When David was appointed group leader on March 18, that’s when I really started to give him the space to get things in place.

“I have chaired a few meetings since, I have done correspondence but the last week or so has been fairly quiet.”

For the last month, Coun Bluh has been working on a part-time basis as a consultant at public affairs consultancy, Tristan Fitzgerald Associates, which has offices in Reading and London, and works in the contentious areas of planning and development.

He will not work in the Swindon borough while still an elected councillor.

Coun Bluh, 57, formerly a chartered accountant, said: “I’m enjoying it. It’s completely different to anything I’ve ever done before but a challenge is as good as a rest, and I’m working with a nice bunch of people and I think I’m lucky.”

He said he would remain a councillor until at least May 2015 and did not expect to remain in the cabinet.