Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and Skills (Statutory Lead Member for Children's Services) Cllr Sue Sanderson has today (30th August) taken the decision to step down due to health reasons.
Speaking about her decision, Cllr Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said:
“Sue has been a dedicated councillor for a significant period of time. She previously served as a member of Cabinet on both SLDC and Cumbria County Council.
“Sue was also Deputy Leader at SLDC and has had a number of other roles during her period of office, culminating in her portfolio responsibilities for Children’s Services with the Shadow Authority and latterly here at Westmorland and Furness Council.
“Sue has led the Children’s Services Team brilliantly, through the transition period and onwards to the significant achievement of a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating earlier this year – which I am sure a milestone moment in her outstanding political career.
“Sue has an amazing and fantastic track record and her achievements are many, too many to mention, and I can only thank her for all her hard work and dedication to public service, the council and to all the communities and parish councils that she has represented, so ably, for so long.
“Sue is leaving on a high note, and we wish her well on her retirement.”
Cllr Sue Sanderson, commenting on her decision, said:
“I am very sad to be leaving as a councillor. I have enjoyed my time being on a range of councils but especially most recently as a councillor and Cabinet Member at Westmorland and Furness Council, our brand-new council.
“I have always worked hard to represent and support my local communities and helped with continuing to improve services and environment such as my work on the A590 and on the Ironworks site visitor project. As a Cabinet Member, I have always had a special interest and expertise in working with and for children and their families, especially SEND.
“We are really lucky to have such a talented workforce and I will miss everyone. Unfortunately my deteriorating eyesight is affecting my confidence and ability to deliver my best – so it is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to retire.”
The council has said Interim plans will now be put in place to cover the Education, Inclusion and Skills portfolio while a by-election is progressed to elect a new councillor for the Grange and Cartmel ward.
The by election will be the second in the ward in the last 8 months for Westmorland and Furness Council following another former councillor stepping down in the ward.
Westmorland and Furness will also be holding a by election for the Kirkby Stephen and Tebay ward following the announcement by Cllr Phil Dew that he intends to step down to take up a new calling in the near future.
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