District council leader announces he will step down

The leader of Ashfield District Council will step down in 2028 after nearly 20 years in politics.

Jason Zadrozny, of the Ashfield Independents, who was once the youngest council leader in the country, will step down when his current term ends.

He said in a statement after the authority's annual council meeting on 18 May that politics "has become harsher, more personal, and at times more challenging, with attacks that go beyond policy and into character".

Zadrozny is due in court in August for 12 counts of fraud by false representation and four counts of income tax evasion, which he denies.

Zadrozny, who represents Larwood on the district council, said in a statement he was stepping back "with immense pride".

He pointed to achievements including £100 million in regeneration funding for the district, town centre improvements in Kirkby, Sutton and Hucknall, and the development of the Sherwood Observatory into a science and visitor attraction.

He said: "There are moments in leadership when you carry unseen burdens and must make difficult decisions knowing they will not please everyone."

He said that politics had become harsher, more personal and more challenging over the last 20 years, adding: "While those challenges have taken their toll on not only me, but also those I hold close, I have always believed that opposition is essential to a healthy democracy."

His announcement comes ahead of two tier councils being scrapped in England to make way for unitary authorities.

Nottinghamshire councils have submitted plans to the government on their preferred options.

Ashfield District Council has remained neutral and did not put forward a preference.

Zadrozny said in his statement that serving the people of Ashfield had been "the greatest privilege of my life".

"While I will not be standing for this local council again, I will never stop caring deeply about this district or the communities that have given me so much," he added.

In 2023, Zadrozny was charged with 12 counts of fraud by false representation, five counts of money laundering and four counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of income tax.

He also faces one count of possession of a Class A drug.

His trial was due to start at Northampton Crown Court on February 2025 but it was delayed until August 2026.

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