Oswestry councillor quits to spend more time with his family
A councillor who has given more than 30 years service to a Shropshire town has spoken of his decision to stand down to devote more time to his family.
Martin Bennett stood down last week as both a town and a county councillor for the eastern part of Oswestry so he could have more time to care for his elderly mother.
Her recent ill health and the birth of his great-nephew were the catalyst for his resignation.
His mother, Jean, was mayoress when Mr Bennett was the town mayor of Oswestry in 1993. He went on to become town mayor twice more and borough mayor once.
He has also been chairman of the Cae Glas Trust, the charity that runs Oswestry's Cae Glas Park, and the Oswestry Youth Music Festival and was chairman of Shropshire Council's influential scrutiny committee.
He said: "My mother, who is 85, has been unwell, and my great-nephew was born. Holding him over the Christmas and New Year I wondered if I would only get to see him once a year – and realised I wanted to spend more time with my family.
"I didn't want to have to make a choice, my civic life or my family."
Although stepping down as councillor Mr Bennett will remain based in Oswestry, where he is involved in the town's Methodist Church.
