Former Winchester mayor retires from parish council after 35 years

Richard Izard, 74, made the decision to step down as parish council chairman due to wanting to prioritise his health and family and alleviate the stress and time spent dealing with recent unfounded complaints.

Mr Izard joined the parish council in 1988, two years after moving to the area, serving as chairman for 20 years as well as a city councillor for 13 years and mayor in 2010-11.

Despite complaints taking their toll, the long-term councillor feels he is leaving on a high and is proud of all he has achieved.

READ MORE: Winchester councillors waiting years for standards cases to be decided

He said: “My blood pressure is going up and as chair you take on a bit more pressure. We’ve had a couple of complaints and incidents which took more than a year to sort out. People seem to complain but don’t want to do anything about it themselves.

“It takes up so much time and to be honest I don’t need any more of it. My family said enough is enough. I needed to prioritise my health so now was definitely the time to give up.

“I do miss it but I’ve got my golf, garden and family. I’m still doing Speedwatch but that’s only because there’s just three of us volunteers.

“You’re always on duty as a councillor. I became a district councillor because I thought I could do more and have more influence.”

His wife Elaine served as churchwarden of Holy Trinity in Colden Common for 32 years before she stepped down last year.

The day the couple moved into their Colden Common home, the retired councillor received a knock on the door from the Colden Common Drama and Singing Group and ended up being involved with the local pantomime for years along with his three daughters.

Richard Izard

Mr Izard was also a school governor, chair of the PTA and chair of Colden Common Pre-School.

SEE ALSO: Plans for extra £22.5m pothole repair boost announced by County Council

During his time as parish council chair, he was involved with developments such as the St Vigor Way development including the Community Centre which is owned by the Parish Council but leased to the community centre trustees/management committee, the twinning of Colden Common with St Vigor Le Grand in France, the installation of a path and crossing down Kiln Lane, a £75,000 development of Colden Common Park off Boyes Lane and the introduction of affordable housing in Wessex Way.

He said: “I have such pride for the village when I look back on it all. I’m leaving on a high, there’s loads of stuff I’ve been involved in that will never be forgotten.”

Colden Common Parish Council said: “We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him and thank him for his service to our community.  Please join us in wishing him a happy retirement from public life. May he enjoy spending more of his time with Elaine, his daughters, and their families.”

While Mr Izard said farewell at his last parish council meeting in May, five residents were co-opted to join the council, leaving no vacancies.