Hackney mayor Jules Pipe announces his resignation

Resignation: Mayor of Hackney Jules Pipe. Photograph: Hackney Council

Hackney’s mayor Jules Pipe has announced his resignation from next month, after he was appointed Sadiq Khan’s Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills.

Jules Pipe has been the borough’s Labour mayor since October 2002, nearly 14 years.

He has won four elections for the directly-elected post, and represented Hackney for 20 years in total, first as a backbench councillor, then as Leader of the Council, before becoming Mayor of Hackney in 2002.

Mayor Pipe said: “This is an amazing opportunity to serve our city, but the decision to leave was not an easy one to make. It’s been an enormous privilege to serve the residents of Hackney for two decades and I’m proud of everything the council has achieved: the transformation of our schools, the clean streets, the new homes, a decade of frozen council tax, award-winning services, making a difference to the lives of our most vulnerable residents.

“I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by a dedicated team of officers and councillors, and I’d like to thank them, and of course Hackney’s residents, for their support over my 14 years as Mayor. Leading Hackney on its journey from the worst local authority in the country to one of the best will always be something of which I will be very proud. Hackney is a unique place. It represents the very best of London, and I hope that from City Hall I can continue to make a difference here.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Jules Pipe brings to City Hall extensive knowledge of the capital, and the key challenges it faces.

“He and I share a determination to ensure London’s prosperity is shared by all Londoners, and that we plan ahead to equip the city for its future economic, infrastructure, skills and housing needs. Jules will be a fantastic addition to my top team at a time when London needs a stronger voice more than ever before in championing its unique interests, following the fallout from the EU referendum result.”

I've appointed Jules Pipe my Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills. A fantastic addition to my top team https://t.co/sMJxZdAfbv

— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) 30 June 2016

Mayor Pipe will formally resign next month.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Philip Glanville, will step in to fulfil the functions of the position until a new mayor is elected.

A mayoral election is expected to be held in September.