Mayor's Thanks to All Councillors Standing Down, of All Parties and of None

At this week's final Full Council meeting before the Council elections on May 2nd, Mayor Dave Hodgson paid tribute to all Councillors who are standing down at this election, thanking them for their service on behalf of their communities.

The tone of the meeting was in stark contrast to the blame and the rancour taking place in Westminster, as Mayor Dave commented on Facebook on the day after the meeting:

"As the blame game cranks up in Westminster while the country is in crisis, I want to strike a very different note following last night's final Full Council meeting before the forthcoming local elections. There are a number of Councillors across all parties and of no party standing down at this election, and as I said last night, I want to thank them all for their efforts on behalf of the residents in their respective wards.'

"There is no glamour or glory in being a Councillor, and while I have disagreed and debated the issues with many of those standing down, I know that our motivations have been the same, namely doing our best for our communities.'

"I won't list all of them here, but I did make special mention last night of Labour Cllr for Kempston North Shan Hunt, a current member of my Cabinet who has been a passionate and committed advocate for children and young people across the Borough, especially the vulnerable, in her role as Portfolio Holder for Children's Social Care.'

"I also paid tribute to the retiring Councillor with the longest period of continuous service, Independent Oakley Ward Cllr Pat Olney. Pat is synonymous with Oakley and knows her ward inside out, which is one of the reasons why she's been such an effective Councillor. She is a former Mayor herself and also served on Mayor Frank Branston's Cabinet, and the Borough owes her a debt of thanks for her service.'

"Thanks again to both of them and to all Councillors who have given their time, effort and talents to serving their communities."