Four councillors with a combined service of more than half a century are set to step down.
Dave Parkins, of Huncoat ward, Brian Roberts, of St Oswald’s ward in Oswaldtwistle, John Broadley of Church ward, and Nick Collingridge of Clayton-le-Moors will not be standing for re-election in May after serving for a total of 56 years.
Council bosses have paid tribute to their ‘diligence and sacrifice’ and for ‘doing the council and the borough proud’.
Independent councillor Parkins has served for 20 years and said it’s ‘been a pleasure and a privilege to serve the people of Huncoat’.
He told a council meeting: “It’s a sad thing to do but when you know you want to go, you go.
“I think I leave Huncoat in a better shape than when I took over.”
Conservative councillor Brian Roberts said it’s ‘been a very enjoyable part of my life and I will miss it’. He told the meeting: “I was certainly one who didn’t expect to be a councillor. I was asked at the last minute and here I am 15 years later.
“I would like to praise the people in this chamber as I have always had respect for all councillors and I’d like to thank the officers as we wouldn’t be able to operate without them.”
Nick Collingridge, who served for eight years in Clayton-le-Moors and is director of social enterprise group Mercer House, said it’s ‘been a pleasure working for the council’ but he ‘doesn’t have the time to do both jobs’.
Former Mayor John Broadley was Church councillor for 13 years.
Council leader Miles Parkinson told the meeting they have all ‘done Hyndburn and this council proud’.
He said: “You have all served the council diligently over many years and done what they think is good for the borough.
“The people of Huncoat see what Dave has done and he is well respected.
“Brian has served on many committees and played an important role within his part and when they were in administration.
“It’s a rare feat for an Independent to stand and beat the two main parties and Nick has done that twice which shows the respect he has of the people there.”
Conservative councillor Tony Dobson said they have all made ‘a big difference’ to the borough.
He told the meeting: “It is a job that is at many times unappreciated but we all do our best and try our best.”
