Well-known councillors prepare to say farewell

GRANDEES: Couns Alan Martin, left, and
Don Cornock

NEXT Wednesday, Solihull’s oldest councillor will sit down for his final meeting in the council chamber.

This last session on the planning committee will bring to an end an 18-year stint by Marston Green’s Alan Martin.

The Conservative councillor has represented his home ward of Bickenhill since 1996 and was Solihull’s Mayor nine years ago.

Now 81, he has decided against standing for another four year term and will step down at this month’s local elections.

Coun Martin held a number of positions during his time with the Tory group and is a long-serving member of the planning committee, where he has had to consider some of the most controversial applications in recent history.

He will continue to serve the community as a member of the Marston Green Village Hall Trust.

Also leaving the council this month is Smith’s Wood stalwart Don Cornock, who has held the seat since 1983.

The Labour man, from Auckland Drive, has had the longest continuous run of the 51 members who currently make up the local authority.

He also sits on the planning committee and in recent years has advised and debated the regeneration project which has transformed large parts of the estate he represents.

Coun Cornock will not disappear from the political scene entirely and plans to continue on Smith’s Wood Parish Council.

Labour have selected David Cole, who chairs the Kingshurst Parish Council, to replace their most experienced member.