STIRLING Council leader Johanna Boyd will not be running again in next year's council elections.

The Labour leader, who was elected to represent Castle ward in 2012 and became the first woman to lead Stirling Council since its creation, said she wanted to focus more on her family life and developing her legal career.

Announcing today that she will not seek re-election, she said: “I am incredibly proud of what Labour-led Stirling Council has achieved over the last five years and I will continue to devote my energy to securing a City Deal for Stirling and the wider region.

“Investment of this scale in our communities could transform Stirling into an economic and cultural powerhouse for the benefit of generations to come, in particular our most deprived areas.

"The reason I am not seeking re-election is very straightforward. I made a full time commitment to the role of leading Stirling Council for the past five years and it's now time for me to address some personal priorities.

“The welfare of my young family has always come first and at this time the means of achieving that is the continuing development of my legal career. Taking this decision, which I have been contemplating for some time, has not been easy.

“It has been profoundly rewarding and humbling to be in a position to make choices that help the people of Stirling, particularly my constituents in Castle ward.

"I will miss my role in local government and working with councillors from across the political spectrum as well as council staff who are dedicated to delivering the best public services in very challenging times.”

Mrs Boyd, currently the youngest council leader in Scotland, added: “I will continue to play my part in the Scottish Labour Party to drive the political change that families across Scotland need to create a better quality of life for all.

“I share those same aspirations for my family and look forward to seeing my children develop and grow in a fairer and more prosperous Scotland."

The next Local Government Elections will be taking place early May next year.

Violet Weir, chair of the Stirling Constituency Labour Party, said: “On behalf of all Stirling Labour Party members I would like to thank Johanna for her outstanding leadership of Stirling Council.

“She will be sorely missed and we wish her all our very best for what I am sure will be a bright future for her and her family."