Resignation accepted ‘with heavy heart’
NEW Cheshire East council boss Rachel Bailey said she has accepted Sam Gardener’s resignation ‘with a heavy heart’.
Coun Gardner, who was elected to the council in the Macclesfield Tytherington ward last May, was catapulted on to the council’s ‘front benches’ within weeks of being elected.
Former council leader Michael Jones first appointed him as deputy cabinet member for finance and assets, before promoting him to portfolio holder for leisure.
He kept that position under current leader Rachel Bailey.
Coun Bailey said: “Coun Gardner has offered his resignation and I have accepted this with a heavy heart. He has been a fully committed and dedicated member of my cabinet and I am very sorry to lose him in these circumstances.
“Elected to council last May, he was appointed to cabinet by my predecessor and has brought with him a fresh and vibrant approach to local politics and the work of this council.
“The council and the residents of Cheshire East have lost the services of a highly talented, sensitive and dynamic young man who has chosen to step down.”
Coun Gardner has issued a statement through the council’s press office. It said: “I very much regret to announce that I have offered my resignation to the new leader of Cheshire East Council Rachel Bailey and will step aside from my cabinet portfolio for leisure and open spaces with immediate effect.
“In view of the publicity surrounding my role as a former director and chairman of an events company which went into liquidation in 2011, I do not wish to put at risk the reputation of Cheshire East Council, the leader of the Council Rachel Bailey or my cabinet and council colleagues.
“I reiterate what I have said previously that I was not obliged under council rules to disclose the matter of my disqualification as a company director when interviewed for my cabinet position and the disqualification is in no way incompatible with my duties as a portfolio holder.”
He added: “Cheshire East Council is a fantastic council to serve and I remain fully committed to my role as a Tytherington ward councillor and will work as hard as always for the benefit of my ward and the residents of Cheshire East.”