Outgoing councillors reflect on years of dedicated service

FOURTEEN Gloucestershire County Councillors did not stand again for office in the local election.

Councillors who stood down from their posts have represented wards in Gloucester, Cheltenham, the Cotswolds and Stroud.

“I have imposed myself on the electorate for 20 years, it’s time they had a rest,” joked Ray Theodoulou, previously the Conservative councillor for Fairford and Lechlade on Thames, who has been proud of his collaborative work with other councillors over the years.

The 82-year-old was quick to add: “Don’t believe anyone who says they’ve done it by themselves. Nobody does anything by themselves. Everything you do is collaborative.

“You work together with other people to do really quite humdrum things like make sure roads are maintained properly in your area and there’s always people who complain and say you haven’t done enough!”

Mr Theodoulou also spoke with fondness about work he has done with schools in his ward, his help with adult social care and finances.

Klara Sudbury, previously Liberal Democrat councillor for Charlton Park and College, in Cheltenham, stood down after 16 years of service.

Mrs Sudbury said: “In post I am most proud of the work I have done with local communities to bring about positive change, for example bringing a one-way system to Naunton Crescent, Exmouth Street and Hermitage Street.

“Being Mayor of Cheltenham was the biggest honour of being a councillor, I am proud to have used the year to raise the profile of Cheltenham, local businesses and community groups, as well as raising a record breaking £50,000 for charity.”

John Payne, previously People Against Bureaucracy Group councillor for Pittville and Prestbury, in Cheltenham, stood down as he did not have the same resources or access to committees as an independent.

Mr Payne, 74, said: “I’ve managed to acquire funding for a number of projects in Prestbury in particular. Some in Pitvillle as well. In Prestbury, the decorative plants that have now been displayed and rewiring the village hall. A grant to the local history society. All-in-all, I’m not displeased with that.”

County councillors who did not stand as candidates for the office: Gloucester: Kate Haigh (L, Coney Hill and Matson); Cheltenham: Simon Albert Wheeler (LD, Benhall and Up Hatherley); Klara Victoria Sudbury (LD, Charlton Park and College); John Payne (PAB, Pittville and Prestbury); Cotswolds: Nigel Robbins (LD, Cirencester Beeches); Ray Theodoulou (C, Fairford and Lechlade on Thames); Nigel Moor (C, Stow-on-the-wold); Stroud: Keith Stuart Rippington (C, Bisley and Painswick); Rachel Smith (GP, Minchinhampton); Brian Oosthuysen (L, Rodborough); Eva Ward (GP, Stroud Central).