AFTER more than three years on Upton Town Council, one of its members has declared he will not be standing for re-election.

Councillor Mike Ostick made the revelation at this week's council meeting (Tuesday, March 24) but paid tribute to its achievements since he joined and the mayors he has worked with.

"I was encouraged to join the council by those, who like myself, were appalled at this council’s blinkered and perverse decision to refuse the planning application for the riverside flood defences.

"We have a much better council today, and as a body this council has a substantial record of action and achievement in it’s current election term.

"We have a proper and conventional structure, we work through our excellent officers, we have updated and relevant standing orders, financial regulations, staffing procedures, health and safety, and other policies.

"Our accounting and financial reporting is well administered and fully audited, and the council is committed to work toward a balanced budget. All meetings are open to the public and are publicly reported.

"We have implemented an outstanding and well maintained council website.

"The bridge has been refurbished, the flood defences are in place, and we have a magnificent waterfront, the Memorial Hall has been progressively enhanced, and is now a significant performance centre, the Hanley Road car park is re-surfaced, the re-cycling bins are relocated out of sight, we have retained ownership of our precious free car park facility and managed to keep our library open.

"I would like to pay tribute to the two mayors I have served with, Andrea Morgan and Peter Webb" he said.

He declared he will be diverting all his attention to the Upton Business Association, of which he is a vice chairman.

Cllr Ostick said: "I have always stressed to council colleagues the importance of a successful high street to the wellbeing of our residents.

"Take away any facility and the town will be the poorer. But faced with rows of empty shops, the town will die. "Support the traders and local enterprise, and you will support the very lifestyle of our residents."

The re-election date is set for May 7.