Farewells have been made to the 11 Bracknell Forest councillors who will be standing down ahead of the local elections this year.

It was discovered that 11 councillors would no longer be seeking election to Bracknell Forest Council when the statement of persons nominated for the election was posted this month.

At a full council meeting, the councillors were thanked for their service.

The meeting was presided over by councillor Dale Birch (Conservative, Little Sandhurst and Wellington) deputy leader of the council.

Paying tribute to the outgoing councillors, he said: “At every election, there are councillors who get the opportunity to spend more time with their family voluntarily.

“The individual lengths of service range from a single term which is four years, up to seven terms at 28 years of service.

“In total, the councillors standing down this time have amassed a total of 124 years to our community.

“[We offer] our sincere thanks to everybody for all the work you’ve done, not just for the council but also in your communities.

“We wish you sincerely well with all that spare time you’re going to have! Thank you.”

The 11 councillors stepping down are:

  • Robert Angell
  • Nigel Atkinson
  • Michael Brossard
  • Marc Brunel-Walker
  • Sandra Ingham
  • Gaby Kennedy
  • Ian Kirke
  • Isabel Mattick
  • Pauline McKenzie
  • Thomas Parker
  • John Porter

Typically, the meeting would be presided over by cllr Paul Bettison OBE (Conservative, Little Sandhurst and Wellington), the leader of the council.

However, cllr Birch said cllr Bettison was celebrating his 70th birthday on the day (Wednesday, April 19).

It was the last full meeting of the council ahead of the all-out elections which take place on Thursday, May 4.