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Article courtesy of the Mid Sussex Times - Original here.
A Haywards Heath town councillor has handed in her resignation.
Christine McLean, councillor for Ashenground Ward, has retired to Norfolk to be closer to her son and daughter.
She said: "Moving has been a difficult decision, as my husband and I have lived in Ashenground ward since 1979 and made many friends there and in Haywards Heath. We spent a great deal of time thinking about what to do but in the end felt it made sense."
Mrs McLean has been a Liberal Democrat councillor since 1999 and was one of the first committee members of the Friends of Ashenground Woods. She said that the greatest reward was being able to help people in the day-to-day issues which occur and working with residents.
She added: "I would like to thank residents for their support over the past 14 years and especially Richard Bates, my fellow councillor, who has been a tower of strength during that time, and the Lib Dem team. I am also grateful for the help I have been given by the staff at Haywards Heath Town Council and wish them and fellow councillors all the best for the future."
Mayor Cllr John Sabin said on behalf of Haywards Heath Town Council: "Cllr Christine McLean tendered her resignation as Councillor on 12th March. Christine's resignation was brought about by her move with her husband to live near Norwich so that they could be closer to their family.
"Christine told me it was a real wrench to be leaving the area having been involved in the community for some 30 years and had made many friends during that time. The last 14 of those years has been spent as a Councillor proudly representing and serving residents of Ashenground and Haywards Heath
"Though, having only known Christine for a relatively short time, I have never the less witnessed someone who has worked tirelessly for her community through thick and thin. Christine leaves at a time when many projects which are also close to her heart and that of many others will come to fruition, and in that regrets leaving at such an exciting time for the Council and Haywards Heath.
"I and the Council wish Christine and her husband all the very best in their new lives in Norfolk."
The Ashenground by-election will be in May to coincide with the County Elections.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has closed the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Brighton by calling on members to spread the message of the Party's commitment in Government to deliver a stronger economy and a fairer society.
In his keynote Leader's speech, Nick paid tribute to the work of the Party in winning the Eastleigh by-election, beating the Conservatives into third place and squeezing Labour while campaigning on the Lib Dem record of delivering in Government.
There will be a memorial event for ex-South East Region Lib Dems Chair and long time activist Mike Simpson at 7pm on 3rd April at the National Liberal Club, Westmiinster.
All who knew or worked with Mike are very welcome to come and remember him on the 3rd: please do RSVP to Regional Administrator Anna Tarrant at annaftarrant@gmail.com.
By Darren Briddock, South East Region Liberal Democrats Regional Chair
It is with immense sadness that I have to inform you of the death of Mike Simpson early this morning. He was comfortable and surrounded by his wife Val and three daughters.
Mike was a huge supporter of the Liberal Democrats and worked tirelessly in whatever way he could. His history with the party goes back longer than I have been alive, but in the time I have known him he has been Regional Chair, Regional Treasurer, a senior returning officer, the agent for our two MEP's and has undertaken countless other roles and duties.