In the last full council meeting before the county’s local elections, some Wiltshire councillors used the opportunity to say goodbye to the communities they served.
Having announced their intention to stand down in May, many chose to thank their fellow councillors, as well as council officers, in Trowbridge County Hall on Tuesday, March 11.
The subject of “party politics” came up in multiple speeches, with departing councillors suggesting the conflicts were a “waste” of the council’s time.
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She thanked them for their work and referred to those who had already “specifically confirmed” they would not be standing again.
She listed Cllr Steve Bucknell from Royal Wootton Bassett East, Cllr Mark Connolly from Tidworth North and West, Cllr Sarah Gibson from Bradford on Avon South, Cllr Peter Hutton from Chippenham Cepen Park and Hunters Moon, Cllr Johnny Kidney from Winsley and Westwood, Cllr Brian Mathew from Box and Colerne, Cllr Simon Jacobs from Devizes South, Cllr Ian McLennan from Laverstock, Cllr Tim Trimble from Bradford on Avon North, Cllr David Vigar from Trowbridge Grove, Cllr Derek Walters from Corsham Without, and Cllr Suzanne Wickham from Ethandune.
Cllr Wickham praised village organisations such as parish councils and voluntary community groups.
Cllr Connolly, who was first elected in 1993, thanked council officers for their “outstanding” work.
Meanwhile, Cllr Bucknell expressed that he had enjoyed helping residents during his time on the council, but that the size of the local authority meant smaller towns like Royal Wootton Bassett had to “fight” to get the attention they “deserve”.
He added: “I don’t enjoy the party politics that can happen in this chamber.
“It is a waste of time; it does not result in better decisions.”
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Cllr McLennan noted that being able to help people is what had kept him going over the last 30 years.
Cllr Hutton described a “wonderful 16 years” and encouraged future councillors to be respectful of each other.
Cllr Vigar praised officers who went “beyond the call of duty” and “the immense strength” of voluntary organisations in the county.
Finally, Cllr Walters said: “I do echo the comments about things being overly party political, I don’t think that’s necessary, I think we should stick to facts, not throw out insults or anything like that.”
He extended thanks to councillors and council officers for their support.
Elections will take place for 98 unitary Wiltshire councillors and for the councillors in the parish and town councils on Thursday, May 1.
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