Cllr Dawn Cousins.
ANOTHER leading Tory Isle of Wight Council member is standing down.
Cllr Dawn Cousins, who represents Newport North, informed constituents in her newsletter she would not seek re-election in May.
Cllr Cousins is cabinet member for children’s services and previously held the portfolio for adult social care, health and housing.
She joins deputy council leader George Brown, former cabinet members Roger Mazillius, Barry Abraham and Tim Hunter-Henderson in standing down from the Conservative ranks.
Cllr Cousins said she always intended to complete two terms and had to consider carefully that decision because she would miss her contact with young people, especially looked-after children, and her ward work.
"My son and daughter both have good jobs in London and I want to see more of them. I also want to travel, which is something I could not do as a cabinet member because I did not want to spend time away from that.
"I have always believed if you do a job you should devote your time to it."
Tory leader of the council, Cllr David Pugh, expects about two thirds of councillors to be standing again and for the Conservatives to contest every seat.
The Liberal Democrats and Labour have not yet announced how many seats they will fight while the Independents say they hope to fight them all.
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk