Midhurst Town Council chairman to step down after four years in role

Mark Purves is to step down as chairman of Midhurst Town Council in February, after four years in the role.
ks190214-3 Old Library Refurbishment  phot kate
Mark Purves inside the council offices.ks190214-3 SUS-190417-100252008ks190214-3 Old Library Refurbishment  phot kate
Mark Purves inside the council offices.ks190214-3 SUS-190417-100252008
ks190214-3 Old Library Refurbishment phot kate Mark Purves inside the council offices.ks190214-3 SUS-190417-100252008

Having been elected every year since 2016, councillor Purves said it was important for the council ‘to have a new leader to help to deal with new problems’, and a chance for him to ‘look forward on a personal level’.

In a statement read out at a full council meeting held on Monday, Mark said: “This has given me cause to reflect on the last four years and also to look at what the future holds for me personally and for the council.

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“With this in mind I have taken the decision that next month’s full council meeting would be an appropriate time for me to stand down as chairman.

“I will continue to serve as a councillor.”

Mark, who is also the crew manager at Midhurst Fire Station, joined the town council in 2011 as the youngest member in its history.

A Midhurst Town Council spokesperson said: “His enthusiasm was infectious and he settled in to council life well.  

“So well that five years later he stepped up to the chairman’s role in February 2016, making another first as the youngest chairman the council has ever had.

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“Mark has steered the council through many changes in a short time, not least the renovation of The Old Library and new personnel both in volunteer councillors and in the clerk’s office.”

The council said it will continue to benefit from the ‘knowledge Mark has built’.

There are currently two vacancies for councillors.

The spokesperson added: “If anyone is interested, and would like to know more about being a councillor, please contact the town clerk, Melanie Kitem via email [email protected] or telephone 01730 816953.”

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