Stroud District Council chairman resigns (From Gazette Series)

Stroud District Council chairman and councillor for Cam East John Hudson resigns

11:49am Tuesday 26th February 2013 in News By Daniel Chipperfield

THE CHAIRMAN of Stroud District Council and councillor for Cam East has been forced to resign due to health reasons.

John Hudson, 46, spent the Christmas period in hospital after suffering a heart attack soon after the passing of his mother.

On his return Cam home, the father-of-three said he would have to consider his options for the future but was keen to be chairing meetings again soon.

However at a Stroud District Council meeting on Thursday, February 21, chief executive David Hagg read out a letter sent by Mr Hudson detailing his resignation.

Speaking to the Gazette, Mr Hudson, who works for the 2gether Trust Foundation, said there was a hint of sadness in the decision.

"But the wake up that I got over Christmas makes you think about what’s important and to me that’s my family.

"I know I have done 10, nearly 11 years, and think it is an opportunity for someone to take over and hope I am not letting the people of Cam down, who have supported me.

"I would like to thank members of the council and all the officers, especially the officers in democratic services, for all their help and support."

A new chairman will now be appointed at the full council meeting on April 25, with a by-election for the Cam East ward to be held at the same time as county council elections, on Thursday, May 2.

Cllr Dennis Andrewartha (Lib Dem, Cam West) said: "He has always been an honourable man, a decent man and a hardworking man.

"We will sadly miss him, he was well respected by everybody."

Leader of the Conservative group, Keith Pearson (Upton St Leonards) said: "He has worked very hard as chairman and it was very sad.

"If this is the best way for him to recover then it is certainly the best way forward."

Mr Hudson has represented the Cam East ward since May 2002 and for most of that time as a Conservative but in the May elections in 2012 he left the party, citing that he no longer supported the party's policies.

The departure added insult to injury for the Tory party who also lost five seats to Labour in the district elections and thus lost administration of the council.