Long-serving Councillor Ready to Stand Down

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."