THE former chair of Oxfordshire County Council is to stand down from his district role to focus on battling with dementia.
Tim Hallchurch MBE, the Conservative councillor for Launton and Otmoor, announced that he would be resigning from Cherwell District Council in May having been diagnosed with the degenerative condition.
His service as a councillor for the county and district spans three decades and follows a lengthy career in the army where he saw active duty in countries including Ireland, Germany and Kenya as well as being awarded an MBE for humanitarian services after Black September, the civil war in Jordan in 1970.
“I will be standing down in May, mainly because I will be 82 but I have also been diagnosed with dementia,” said Councillor Hallchurch.
“Thank you to all of you for your support over the past 20-odd years and thank you to the public for electing me.”
Leader Barry Wood, who is a Conservative councillor for Fringford and Heyfords, and leader of the opposition Councillor Sean Woodcock (Labour representative for Banbury Ruscote) were among the many to wish him well, while fellow ward member Councillor David Hughes (Conservative member for Launton and Otmoor) paid tribute to his service.
“Tim is a councillor who joined about the time that I did, quite a few years ago now, and there are people you meet in life who act as a kind of intervention,” he said.
“His professionalism, integrity, wit and charm in everything he has said and done has made him an absolute pleasure to work with. We stand with you, let us know what is going on and how we can help.”
Councillor Perran Moon (Labour representative for Banbury Grimsbury and Hightown) said: “We sit on different sides of the chamber but you have served the council with distinction and I wish you all the very best.”
Ian Middleton the Green councillor for Kidlington East said: “I have had some experience of the same condition, not personally but through members of my family. It is a terrible thing but there is hope that it can be dealt with and I wish you well.”
Councillor Hallchurch’s seat had been due to be contested in 2023.
Cherwell District Council confirmed he has yet to formally resign but when he does, the vacancy will be advertised and if two requests are received then a by-election will take place.
If a by-election is called and that happens in time, the council would look to combine it with the local elections that are scheduled to take place on May 5 this year.
-
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok
Got a story for us? Send us your news and pictures here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel