At this week’s council AGM, we passed a vote of thanks to a large number of hard-working and community-focussed councillors from across the political spectrum, who either retired or were not returned at the election – 38 of them in total!
While there isn’t space to mention everyone individually, we want to place on record our sincere thanks to them all for the service they have given to our borough – often over many years and in some cases decades. Public service can be demanding and too often thankless, but the overwhelming majority of councillors of all parties enter public life for the right reasons and most work tirelessly on behalf of their communities.
That includes former Councillor Helen Rivron, whose remarkable service spanned more than three decades.
We also want to give an extra special thank you to former Councillor Tim Swift and former Councillor Jane Scullion for the leadership they provided to this borough over most of the last 14 years. Through some of the most turbulent periods in recent history – including austerity, flooding and covid – they led with vision, dedication and ambition, helping to ensure that our borough remained forward-thinking and aspirational throughout.
Whatever our political differences, everyone who has worked hard for our communities in public office deserves recognition and thanks for their contribution.