FORMER Tory group leader on Warrington Borough Council, Cllr. Kath Buckley has announced she will be retiring from the council ahead of the forthcoming elections on May 2.
Having had cancer twice, Cllr Buckley, who at one time was the only Conservative member of the borough council, before becoming group leader, feels it is now time for retirement.
Reflecting on her career as a Cllr. and various voluntary roles in her home village of Lymm she said: “I started by being a scout leader when my son was young, then I became a Parish Councillor – I was Chair of the Parish – and on various committees, I then became a Borough Councillor in 2015.
“As a Parish Councillor, for example, I sorted out the parking in front of the Coop on Cherry Lane ie only for one hour, instead of commuters using it. I have in my time as Borough Councillor – sorted out the lowering of the speed limit on Burford Lane, when the residents asked for help, I was the only councillor who turned up. This took nearly two years to sort. I worked with many organisations to sort out the flood defences for Reddish Lane after they were flooded twice in two years. I sorted out with WBC the crossing at Sainsbury’s after elderly residents brought their issues to my attention. Hopefully, with WBC I will be working on a solution to the Massey Brook flooding. Many other matters are still ongoing which I may not resolve before I go. Of course, a lot of my work is confidential and cannot be reported on.
“I have also been Chair and Secretary of Lymm May Queen, Governor and Trustee of Lymm High School, a member of 4Lymm for whom I organised their Annual Youth Award.”
Looking to the future she added: “I am still a member of LYCA board and I still volunteer for them and I organised the competition for their successful Logo change, many years ago. I am still Chair of Lymm Clothing Charity, Church Warden and Safeguarding officer, and member of the Christmas Tree Festival Committee for St Mary’s Church – I helped organise the competition with the curate and then painted the design for the new church hall gates. I am still Chair of Warrington CAB. Most recently I lead the writing group for Lymm and Thelwall U3A and I have just joined Bridgewater Players. I am also a volunteer for the Heritage Centre. So quite a mixed bag!
“I will still be on my committees in Lymm etc so hopefully will be still helping the residents of Lymm for some time yet.
“Finally, it has been an honour to serve the people of Lymm and I have really enjoyed being a Borough Councillor which has included being on the Cheshire Fire Authority Board.
“Having had cancer twice – most recently in the first lockdown, I now feel that I want to have an actual retirement.”
Community stalwart resigns from council after feeling isolated in decision-making
