Long-serving Councillor Ready to Stand Down

Written by Epping Forest Reporter and published in Epping Forest Guardian on Thu 23rd Mar 2006

Former Epping Forest District Council chairman Michael Heavens is standing down as a district councillor after 22 years.

The Liberal Democrat group leader and housing portfolio holder, who was not due to come up for re-election until May 2008, has decided to retire now so a by-election can be held on the same day as the usual council elections on Thursday May 4 when a third of the authority is up for re-election.

Mr Heavens, who began his council career representing the Grange Hill ward in 1984, later became a ward councillor for Buckhurst Hill, and was chairman of the district council in 1998-99. He is currently one of three councillors representing the Buckhurst Hill West ward.

District council leader John Knapman, who will take over the housing portfolio responsibilities until after the May election, said: "He has made a significant contribution to life in the district over a number of years, and as a former chairman of the council made a major contribution to the political life of the district."

Mr Heavens said: "I've wanted to resign because my health has not been as good as it was and so a by-election can be held on May 4 I've had to hand in my resignation this week."