Former Gosport council leader steps down citing health issues

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 14:02 · Archive

Gosport's former Liberal Democrat council leader is standing down from the role after health issues from working up to 18 hours a day.

Councillor Peter Chegwyn, the former leader of Gosport Borough Council, has announced he is stepping down as Liberal Democrat group leader due to health issues. He said he had been working up to 18 hours a day as council leader and needed time to 'recharge my batteries'. Chegwyn has served as a councillor for 47 years and led the council from May 2022 until May this year.

His decision to step down comes months after the Liberal Democrats lost all seven seats they were defending in May's elections, leaving the party with six councillors. The Conservatives subsequently took over control of the council, with Cllr Zoe Huggins becoming council leader.

Chegwyn said he had been planning the move for some time and that now was the right time to step back from leadership duties. He will remain as Liberal Democrat group leader until the group selects his successor and will continue serving as a councillor for Forton. The announcement also coincides with Liberal Democrat Hardway councillor Kirsty Cox standing down as a councillor after starting a new job.

How it is being reported

• 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’The News, Portsmouth · 16 Oct, 13:33
• Former council leader stands down saying ‘I need a break’Former Gosport council leader stands down over health issues as another councillor leaves roleSouthern Daily Echo · 16 Oct, 10:41

In this story: Peter Chegwyn · Gosport Borough Council · Gosport · Kirsty Cox · Zoe Huggins · Liberal Democrats · Conservatives

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