Councillor Tom Hanson, Deputy Leader of the Labour Group at South Ribble Borough Council is to step down from the role after 17 years.
Tom, who is 77, wants to focus more on his role as a councillor for the Bamber Bridge West Ward and after a total of 27 years dedicated to local public service he really does want to spend more time with his family! He is a keen photographer and is looking forward to more time with his wife and and five grandchildren.
In an interview with the Leyland Guardian published on September 19 he said he was proud to have played a part in the regeneration of Bamber Bridge, Leyland and Tardy Gate and in the achievement of South Ribble gaining an 'Excellent' council rating by the Audit Commission earlier this year after 10 years of Labour in control - a testament to just how hard Tom and the Labour team have worked for the local area.
Tom first became a councillor in 1980 and has been deputy to four leaders, Tom Kelly, Gina Lewis, Howard Gore and most recently Matthew Tomlinson.
Before becoming a councillor he worked for a mechanical engineering company. He is also a former committee member of Bamber Bridge.
At what would be Tom's final Labour Group meeting as deputy Councillor Matthew Tomlinson thanked Tom for his many years of service. Councillor Tomlinson told the Leyland Guardian, "Tom's been a steadfast member of the Labour Party and has used his wealth of experience to assist several leaders. The group will continue to rely on his experience as a councillor and I'm sure he'll be around to help for many years."
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