Tributes paid as three Hungeford councillors bow out

THREE familiar faces bade farewell at this month's full Hungerford Town Council meeting on Monday night.

District councillors Claire Rowles and James Cole (Con, Hungerford and Kintbury) are not standing for re-election.

And it was town councillor John Downe's last town council meeting as he, too, is stepping down.

Ms Rowles told the meeting: "I've enjoyed every minute of working with you – it's been an absolute privilege.

"Thank you very much for all your support, in particular [town mayor] Helen Simpson for her support in some tough times."

Last December this newspaper reported how Mrs Rowles was publicly stripped of her committee roles by district council leader Lynne Doherty (Con, Newbury Speen), prompting an angry response from the town council and from Mrs Simpson in particular.

The step was taken after Ms Rowles was told she may have been involved in a conflict of interest stemming from a council ethics committee meeting in January, at which she had championed two householders who have received a combined bill of almost £90,000 after incorrectly filling out paperwork before developing their properties.

At the time Mr Cole said: "To me, this sort of vindictiveness is totally and utterly inexcusable – it's bullying."

Mr Cole said he viewed it as "an insult" to Ms Rowles and to himself and added: "I find my future as a West Berkshire councillor open to consideration; I cannot abide this sort of behaviour.”

At Monday's meeting district councillor Dennis Benneyworth (Con, Hungerford and Kintbury) said the town had enjoyed "two very excellent friends" in his departing colleagues.

He added: "No one will have served the town better than them."

Mrs Simpson thanked all three district councillors for their work and described them as "a breath of fresh air."

Councillors also gave a round of applause to Mr Downe, who is stepping back from the town council after almost five years.

During his tenure he served on the highways and transport committee and was instrumental in championing green issues.

Hungerford and Kintbury is likely to be one of the most hotly contested wards in the forthcoming election.

The Lib Dems are fielding three candidates for the three seats in Denise Gaines, Tony Vickers and Julian Swift Hook.

The Greens will field one candidate in the ward, and the Tories have Dennis Benneyworth, Peter Tompkins and Ben Podger going forward.