Southampton City Council chief executive, Mike Harris, is to step down amid financial challenges that took a ‘significant' toll on his health.

Harris announced on 9 January that he would leave his post later this month and that a ‘different leadership approach' is needed. Last week, the south coast authority elected a new political leader, Cllr Lorna Fielka, to replace Satvir Kaur who stood down to target a Parliamentary seat.