A SENIOR councillor has stood down from York's council executive, leaving the post of finance portfolio holder.

Cllr Chris Steward confirmed today he had resigned from the joint Conservative - Liberal Democrat administration.

He said a formal handover will take place as soon as his replacement as executive member for finance and performance is named.

The council executive is due to meet on Thursday to confirm the council's budget for the year ahead, including a 3.7 per cent council tax increase.

Conservative Cllr Steward was leader of the council until May 2016, when he stood from that post due to ill health.

He is to stay on as a ward councillor for Rural West York.