TRIBUTES to Wales' longest serving council leader, Cllr Bob Wellington CBE, have poured in following his shock resignation today.

Torfaen County Borough Council's leader will stand down from his position at the end of 2016 and also finish in his role as leader of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).

The veteran councillor began his career in 1978 with Cwmbran Community Council and has been the Torfaen councillor for the Greenmeadow ward in Cwmbran since 1982.

He was given the CBE title in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2014, receiving an award for services to local government, heritage and the community in Torfaen and Wales.

Although his decision to step down will mark 13 years leading Torfaen council, five years as leader of the WLGA and 36 years as a local councillor, Mr Wellington believes "the time is right to step aside" and that he will "leave the council in good health and good hands".

"A council leader is a full-time role starting at 6am and finishing late most days and it’s a role I’ve put my heart and soul into for 13 years," he said.

"During this time, the council has faced many difficult decisions but our vision for learning, protecting the vulnerable and a principle of social justice has been our guide.

"Central government austerity and six consecutive years of cuts to our budget has required political leadership, a strong backbone and thick skin."

"I’m particularly proud that under my leadership we have invested nearly £100 million in new schools which will help children from the top to the bottom of the borough fulfil their potential and enhance their life prospects," he added.

Looking back over his career he credited the "many passionate politicians, talented officers and five chief executives" he worked with, thanking them for "putting their faith in him".

He said: “I’ve many personal highlights in my political career including chairing the Welsh Coalfield Community Campaign and the Junior Vice President of EURACOM which enabled me to negotiate European funding for former coalfield areas.”

Recalling his work in Torfaen, he described the creation of Greenmeadow Community Farm, the reclamation of Garn Lakes and visiting Cairns in Australia to deliver the speech accepting the UNESCO World Heritage Status for Blaenavon in 2000 as “highlights”.

Looking to the future, Mr Wellington said "exciting times lie ahead", noting council plans for post-16 education, the regeneration of 'The British' and the construction of a specialist critical care centre in Llanfrechfa.

"I’d like to pay particular thanks to my wife Shirley and all my family for their love and support over the years and I now look forward to a slower pace of life enjoying time with my family and working in my garden," he added.

First Minister Carwyn Jones paid tribute to the council leader, describing him as a "towering figure in Welsh local government" who will be "remembered for his years of selfless dedication to the people of Torfaen".

Cabinet Secretary for finance and local government, Mark Drakeford, credited his "first hand dedication" to his roles, while Torfaen's MP, Nick Thomas-Symonds described the leader as a "giant in the politics of the Eastern Valley".

The Rt Hon Lord Murphy of Torfaen and former Torfaen MP, Paul Murphy, described “Bob as a friend and political colleague for over forty years”.

“We both represented Fairwater and Henllys Ward on the old Torfaen Borough Council, and he was a sterling and loyal supporter over the thirty years I was MP for Torfaen," he said.

“It's as leader of Torfaen that I most want to praise him. He has been totally dedicated to the well-being of the people of the Eastern Valley and his leadership has resulted in innovation, improvement and success in delivering services to the electorate.

“He has been a great champion of the people of the Greenmeadow Ward of Cwmbran for many decades. They could not have been better represented."

Torfaen’s AM, Lynne Neagle, added: “Councils form the backbone of local services and touch the lives of each and every single resident in a multitude of different ways.

“I wish Bob’s successor all the very best in continuing and growing on Bob’s legacy. I know they will be big shoes to fill.”

An election process for the leader of the Labour party group in Torfaen has commenced and a interim leader of the council will be announced on December 13.

Mr Wellington’s successor will formally appointed by full council next year.