Seven city councillors, including one with 32 years of service, are stepping down from the authority.

Four Labour and three Green group councillors have announced they will not be seeking re-election when Norwich goes to the polls on May 4.

The retiring Labour councillors include two of the most senior members of the authority: leader Alan Waters (Crome) and deputy leader, Gail Harris (Catton Grove).

Norwich Evening News: Alan Waters, leader of Norwich City CouncilAlan Waters, leader of Norwich City Council (Image: Archant 2018)

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Mr Waters has served on the council for a total of 32 years across five decades, having first been elected in 1988.

He spent three years out of office in the 2000s, having lost his seat by four votes.

He served as leader of the council from 1993 to 1998 and again from 2015 to present.

Sally Button (Bowthrope) and Erin Fulton-McAlister (Wensum) are also standing down.

Norwich Evening News: Denise CarloDenise Carlo (Image: Archant © 2013)

From the Green group, Lesley Grahame (Thorpe Hamlet), Sandra Bogelein (Mancroft) and Denise Carlo (Nelson) will be departing.

It comes at a time when the council is experiencing wider changes, with chief executive Stephen Evans stepping down at the end of March.

He will be replaced on an interim basis by Louise Rawsthorne, who has headed up resident-facing services at the council since April 2021.