Former Gosport council leader Peter Chegwyn stands down saying ‘I need a break’
A former council leader is stepping down from helming his party so he can ‘recharge his batteries’
A veteran councillor is stepping back from a senior political role after revealing he had been working “up to 18 hours a day” as council leader.
Gosport Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Peter Chegwyn has announced he will stand down from the position because of health issues and a need to “recharge my batteries”.
The announcement comes alongside the resignation of Liberal Democrat Hardway councillor Kirsty Cox, who is leaving Gosport Borough Council after starting a new job.
Cllr Chegwyn has served as a councillor for 47 years and was leader of Gosport Borough Council from May 2022 until May this year.
He said: “I was working up to 18 hours a day as council leader and frankly I need a break and time to re-charge my batteries.
“I have been planning this move for some time and now is the right time to step back from leadership duties.”
He will remain Liberal Democrat group leader until the group chooses his successor and will continue serving as a councillor for Forton.
The change comes after the Liberal Democrats lost control of the council in the May elections.
The party lost all seven seats it was defending, leaving it with six councillors, after having run the authority under Cllr Chegwyn’s leadership.
The Conservatives subsequently took over the administration, with Cllr Zoe Huggins becoming council leader.
Cllr Chegwyn’s announcement coincides with Cllr Cox revealing she will stand down as a councillor altogether.
Cllr Cox said the demands of a new job meant she no longer felt able to devote enough time to representing Hardway.
She said: “I have enjoyed my time as a councillor helping Hardway residents get action to solve local problems but having recently started a new job I don’t feel I can continue serving as a councillor as well.
“If I can’t devote the time needed to be an effective councillor it would be wrong for me to continue trying to do two jobs.
“I hope Hardway residents will respect my decision. I’d like to thank everyone who’s voted for me in the past for their support.”