RICHARD ASHTON STEPS DOWN AS CPON CHAIRMAN

RICHARD ASHTON: A PLEASURE AND PRIVILEGE TO LEAD CPON

CPON has announced that it’s Chairman, Richard Ashton, is stepping down after five successful years in the role.

Richard, who became Chairman in August 2005, is leaving his political assistant’s role at Tameside at the end of June, and believes the time is now right to hand over the reins at CPON.

Richard said, “It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to have led CPON for the last five years, but I do not feel it would be right to continue as Chairman once I have left my role at Tameside Council.

“The last five years has been a remarkable period for the network, during which time our membership doubled and we received recognition for our work from a wide spectrum of individuals and organisations, from the Prime Minister, David Cameron, to our partners in local government such as the Conservative Councillors’ Association, the LGiU and the IDeA.

“None of this would have been possible without the hard work of our network members in local government, who day after day are making a real difference to the local democratic process. I would like to thank them for the support they have given me during my time as Chairman, and I wish my successor and the network all the very best for the future.”

Elections will now be held to find Richard’s successor.