Cllr Cox, who represents Heaton, Lostock and Chew Moor, has led the Conservative group on Bolton Council since 2021 and intends to resign from the role on April 23 this year.
His time as leader included leading the council from 2021 up to the local elections of 2023 and leading the opposition since then.
Cllr Cox said: “I’ve done two years as deputy leader, two years as leader of the council and two years as leader of the opposition and I just feel it’s the time to give somebody else the opportunity.
“It’s an increasingly fractious political situation at the moment where you may have six or seven parties represented on the council after the next election.
Cllr Cox has previously served as deputy to the late Cllr David Greenhalgh (Image: Public) “Keeping that together is a full-time job in itself so it’s for someone who really has got the passion for it.”
Cllr Cox first took on the leadership of both the Conservative group and the council itself after the tragic death of his predecessor Cllr David Greenhalgh in July 2021.
He says that during his time at the top of town hall he was particularly keen to see the borough’s many regeneration projects come to life.
These included the plans for new housing at Moor Lane, at what has since been dubbed Deansgate Gardens in the town centre and the Church Wharf site.
But before these projects came to fruition Cllr Cox was replaced as council leader by Labour’s Cllr Nick Peel after the local elections of 2023.
Cllr Cox said: “I honestly think that the administration that David Greenhalgh put together was the best in my lifetime.”
He added: “I think as leader, I really wanted to get our regeneration projects going because I had the background for it.
“I wasn’t able to see it through but that’s life.”
Cllr Cox says he intends to stay on as a councillor representing Heaton, Lostock and Chew Moor and as chair of Bolton West Conservatives.
He said that whichever of his colleagues is chosen to succeed him as leader will have his “full support.”
Cllr Cox said: “I’ll still be involved in politics, I’ll still be around.”
He added: “I honestly think its going to be an extremely difficult time for the Labour Party and that’s before Labour’s economic chaos has even really hit.
“And that is going to present huge opportunities for the next leader of the Conservative group.”
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Speculation has now turned to who is likely to succeed Cllr Cox as leader.
Current Mayor of Bolton Cllr Andy Morgan, Conservative environment and climate change spokesperson Cllr Nadim Muslim and former group leader Cllr John Walsh are all possible contenders.
Cllr Morgan said: “Clearly I’m flattered that colleagues are asking me to stand.
“It shows a real desire for unity and strong leadership at a crucial time.
“Right now, my focus is being the Mayor of our amazing town.
“If I do consider standing, it will be because I believe I can bring people together, not just within our group, but across the council, to deliver positive scrutiny, whilst bringing real results for Bolton.”
Cllr Muslim has paid tribute to Cllr Cox’s leadership and said he hopes to see the group come together behind its new leader.
He said: “First of all I think I speak for everyone in the group when I say we’re very grateful for all Martyn has done for us as leader.
“He took over in incredibly difficult circumstances with the death of David Greenhalgh and helped us go against the trend nationally in terms of result.”
He added: “In terms of the group, we’ve got some very talented people that will really stand us in good stead to take back control of the council.
“I think what the group really needs is to come together behind the new leader, whoever that may be, and put our strongest possible case forward.”
Cllr Walsh said that he would not be drawn on speculation about the next leader, but said he hoped to see a strong leader elected and joined his colleagues in tributes to Cllr Cox.
He said: “Martyn has had a difficult time as leader, he fought a very good campaign on behalf of the Conservative group in the face of a Labour victory at the general election and Labour taking control of the council.
“But he has fought for the Conservative Party, he has served the Conservative Party well and I have no doubt he will continue to serve his ward very diligently as a councillor.”
Labour’s Cllr Nick Peel added his voice to those paying tribute to Cllr Cox and said he was looking forward to finding out who the new leader of the opposition would be.
He said: “Martyn became the council leader unexpectedly after the tragic death of David Greenhalgh, but he took up the reins and tackled the challenge he faced.
“I would like to pay tribute to Martyn in particular for his commitment to town centre regeneration.
“The leadership of both he and David meant that the bold plans for regeneration have been largely seamless through the transition of Bolton Council from Labour to Conservative and back to Labour.
“I’ve enjoyed working with Martyn during my two years as council leader, and look forward to working with his successor, although it is difficult to think of anyone in the Tory Group who can match his skills in keeping that divided group together.
“He will be a hard act to follow.”
The next leader of the Bolton Conservative group is expected to be chosen at a meeting on April 23.
