A YORK councillor is standing down from her role on City of York Council’s ruling cabinet.

Ruth Potter, who took the education, children and young people’s services portfolio when Labour were elected in May, said she wanted to concentrate on issues in her Heworth ward and have a “better work-life balance”.

During her time on the cabinet, she developed the York Education Partnership, an initiative aimed at getting schools to work together.

The Labour group will elect Coun Potter’s replacement when it meets this week. She said: “I have enjoyed my time on the cabinet and hope I have made a positive difference. I am looking forward to being free to focus more attention on improving services for the people of Heworth and having a better work-life balance.

“Labour is making great strides in improving everyday lives in York and I will continue to be supportive from the backbenches.”

Council leader James Alexander said: “I am very sorry to be losing Ruth from my team as she has been a major player in the group for many years and will be missed in the cabinet, but I entirely understand her reasons.”