ONE of Swindon’s longest-serving councillors and a former mayor is set to stand down at this year’s local elections.

Labour’s Steve Wakefield, who represents the Mannington and Western Ward, has been a councillor for 15 years but has announced he will not be running for election again.

The Middleeaze resident has represented West Swindon for all that time and is currently the shadow spokesman for Streetscene.

As he announced he was standing down, he paid thanks to his fellow ward councillors and wished luck to Steph Exell, who will be standing in his place at May’s election.

He said: “I have found the last 15 years as a councillor in West Swindon interesting and energising and it has been a privilege to serve.

“I have always appreciated the support from my fellow Mannington and Western councillors, Kevin Small and Jim Robbins.

“However, I have decided now is the time for me to move on and do other things.

“I felt honoured to have the opportunity of working with so many people in the area, and that is why I am confident that they will have a good choice in Steph Exell.

“Thank you to all those people I have met and who worked with me in Mannington and Western, I will miss you all.”

In 2008, Coun Wakefield served as the town’s Mayor for a year, receiving praise for his work as an ambassador for the town and managing to raise more than £8,000 for his chosen charities.

First elected in 2000, Coun Wakefield used to be a member of the Conservative Party but resigned his whip in 2010, saying he had become disillusioned with the party.

He continued as an independent before joining the Labour Party a few years later.

Away from politics, Coun Wakefield has a keen interest in trains and has written a book about his father’s career on the railways.

Councillor Wakefield is not the only high-profile councillor who will be standing down at the elections on May 7.

Former Conservative council leader Rod Bluh, who was party leader when Coun Wakefield resigned his whip, last year announced that he would not be contesting his Old Town seat after 11 years on the council, with former Haydon Wick councillor Claire Ellis standing in his place.