ONE of the Cotswolds longest serving council members has decided not to stand at next month's elections.

Cllr Sue Herdman (Ind, Churn Valley) is quitting Cotswold District Council after 24 years to concentrate on other commitments and hobbies.

She told the Standard: "It's been a really good experience and I have enjoyed my 24 years."

As well as sitting on the planning committee for all of her 24 years, she was also CDC chairman from 1995-98.

Always an independent member, Cllr Herdman laments the introduction of politics into local government.

She said: "Chairman in those days was practically a full-time job because you were also leader of the council - it was non-political then. Nobody brought politics into the running of the council but this last four years I think it has gone downhill.

"It's really important to me that my replacement is independent. One of the reasons I am giving up is because I don't like the politics in local government now. If you are not in the cabinet now you might as well not exist."

She added: "I'd like to thank all the journalists who have been so good to me and all the members and officers - they have been so kind."

She also singled out council caterer Penny and her predecessor Dawn for particular thanks.

Cllr Herdman, who lives near North Cerney, says she will continue her work on the boards of Arts in Rural Gloucestershire, Brewery Arts and Gloucestershire Rural Community Council.

She will also continue her fundraising efforts for Cirencester Housing for Young People, in which she has been involved for over 21 years.

If, after all that, she has any time left she hopes to spend more time on her garden.