TRIBUTES have been paid to councillors who have decided to step down, including one who has served Wokingham for more than 40 years.
At the final meeting of Wokingham Borough Council ahead of the local elections on May 2, party leaders took time to thank those who were not seeking re-election.
This year, all 54 council seats are up for grabs rather than 18, meaning more councillors are stepping down than usual.
They include three former council leaders: Keith Baker and John Halsall from the Conservatives, and Clive Jones from the Liberal Democrats.
Also stepping down is Pauline Helliar-Symons, who was first elected in 1982, and now represents Wokingham Without.
Conservative group leader Pauline Jorgensen said: “Pauline has held many roles in her time including as chairman of the council for two years and then mayor of the borough after Wokingham became a unitary authority and has represented Wokingham on the Berkshire Fire Authority.
“As a former teacher, she brought valuable knowledge and experience to the role of Executive Member for Children’s Services.”
In a speech, Cllr Helliar-Symons said: “I have been profoundly grateful for the privilege of being a Councillor and for the opportunity to make my own contribution to the community, and I shall very much miss it.”
There was also appreciation for independent councillor Gary Cowan, who is stepping down after representing Arborfield for 27 years.
Council leader Stephen Conway said: “He will rightly be remembered as the most determined defender of his beloved Arborfield.”
Cllr Jorgensen said: “A true Independent, he has represented his residents diligently.”
Cllr Conway also took time to thank his predecessors.
“Keith Baker, is a shrewd and very effective opponent, who also served with distinction as an impressively fair-minded mayor,” he told the council chamber.
“John Halsall, who led the council with great style and much good judgement through the difficult years of Covid; and finally, Clive Jones, my immediate predecessor, who skilfully piloted a minority administration through the challenging inflation of 2022-3 and is now keen to focus on his parliamentary campaign to replace Sir John Redwood.”
Also stepping down are Lib Dems Lindsay Ferris, Peter Denis, Morag Malvern, and Ian Pittock and Conservatives Graham Howe, and Laura Blumenthal.
The meeting was held on Thursday, March 21.
