after 49 distinguished years of public service
Former council leader Harry Andrews has stepped down from his role as councillor for the Gilfach ward.
Mr Andrews was a Labour councillor who twice led Caerphilly County Borough Council from 2004 to 2008 and again between 2012 and 2014.
Made an MBE in 2003, Mr Andrews stood down as leader is May 2014 to spend more time with his family, but stayed on as a councillor.
However, Mr Andrews, who will be 79 on April 23, has now decided to step down because of ill health.
He told Caerphilly Observer that the time was right to spend time with his wife and family.
He said: “I discussed it and my children, who are grown up, and they were really anxious to see us bow out and take advantage of whatever time is left.”
First elected to Gelligaer Urban District Council in 1967, Mr Andrews served on Rhymney Valley District Council and then on Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Despite stepping down, Mr Andrews said he found it hard to ignore problems in his community and still had the instinct to help and improve things.
Caerphilly MP Wayne David said: “I was sad to hear that Harry is stepping down from the council. Harry has been a distinguished councillor for the Gilfach ward for many years.
“His commitment to his local community was recognised when he received an MBE.
“As well as being an extremely hard-working local representative, Harry was also for a time the leader of the council.
“Throughout his time as a councillor he been known for his dedication, conscientiousness and sheer decency. Whoever succeeds Harry as Gilfach’s councillor will have a very hard act to follow.”
Councillors from all parties lined up to pay tribute to Mr Andrews’ work when he stepped down as council leader in 2014.
At the time, Cllr Colin Mann, leader of the Plaid Cymru opposition group on the council said: “Harry has been a stalwart for the Labour Party for decades and while we’ve had our disagreements, I’ve always found Harry to be very personable and approachable.
“I think everyone would recognise Harry has made a huge contribution to public life, both to his ward and to local government generally.”
True gentleman of Labour – unlike todays mob ….
A legacy that includes being leader of the council at the time of the chief executives pay scandal!
I really do like Harry but the pay scandal happened on his watch. A sad note to finish an otherwise superb lifetime of public service.