Suffolk and West Suffolk councillor Mary Evans announces she will step away from local politics
Suffolk County Council’s deputy leader and councillor for Clare, Mary Evans, has announced she is standing down and will not be contesting the county council elections in May 2021.
She will also be resigning from her role as West Suffolk councillor for Whepstead and Wickhambrook.
Mrs Evans, councillor for Clare since 2013, was appointed deputy leader in 2018 when she became cabinet member for highways, transport and rural affairs.
For the past 13 months she has been responsible for children’s services, education and skills.
Writing in Parish Pump, her local parish magazine, Cllr Evans, who lives in Stansfield, announced her decision. “Where I took a couple of months to reflect and research before deciding to stand, the decision to stop was made in a flash,” she wrote.
“If I did another full term at SCC by the end of it, I would only be three years younger than my mother was when she died.
“Much as I have relished my role as a councillor there are other things I want to do with my life – writing, study, long distance walks, and being with my nearest and dearest.
“Two new members joined our family this year and to date we have only met on Zoom.
Speaking this week, she said: “I know my news has come as a shock and a surprise to constituents and colleagues but it’s time for me to stop. I have a long to-do list and I will not be slacking the pace yet.
“My focus is on improving services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
“There is an investigation into why so many SEND young people in Suffolk are permanently excluded from school. When the report is published, we must work with schools to put into effect the lessons to be learned.
“Our schools have been amazing throughout the pandemic, staying open during the lockdown and adapting their ways of working to welcome everyone back this term and cope with the continuing challenges of Covid.
“Locally there are projects I want to complete or certainly make progress with over the coming months, such as an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order to ban heavy lorries from the A1092 unless they are stopping for deliveries or collections; speed limit changes in Hargrave, Thurlow and Withersfield and on the A143 in Wickhambrook and Stradishall; traffic calming in Brockley; and securing a permanent home for the Clare Community Hub – to name a few.
“It has been a privilege to serve the wonderful communities of the Clare area. At times it has been challenging but I have also had huge fun such as the competition to name our gritter lorries.
“On a frosty night, I can’t help but smile when I hear Gritta Garbo drive past my house.”
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