THREE senior members of Colchester Council are standing down in the forthcoming elections with a former council leader saying she is tired and disillusioned by what has become a thankless job.

A third of the council’s 60 seats will be up for election in May.

Cabinet members and Liberal Democrats Martin Hunt and Anne Turrell have said they will not be standing again and said neither will colleague Nick Barlow, who is currently responsible for street and waste services.

The loss of the heavyweight councillors could be significant as the council is currently finely balanced, with 24 Liberal Dem councillors, 23 Conservatives, nine Labour, three Highwoods Independents and one Stanway Independent.

Former leader Mrs Turrell said she had simply had enough after being a borough councillor representing Mile End for 13 years, including six years as leader.

She said: “I am totally disillusioned.

“The Government keeps interfering.

It keeps saying it wants localism, but it doesn’t exist.

“You can’t represent the people because you are not allowed to do what people want.

“Being a councillor is a timeconsuming and thankless job.”

Mr Hunt also revealed he will be not standing again in Christ Church, after 28 years as a councillor.

Mr Hunt, who was Colchester mayor in 1999-2000, said: “I am tired.

“I have been leader of the council since last May and it has been the most tiring year of my life.

“I have not done nearly as many meetings as previously, but there are so many things to worry about and deal with on a day-to-day basis.

“You have to be a diplomat and I am not, by nature, that.

“I have always been a practical, hands-on kind of guy. I have always been a doer, not a strategic planner.”

Mr Hunt is also suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which reduces his lung capacity, and he has arthritis in his feet, hands and knees.

Mr Hunt is the second longest serving councillor in the borough, behind Mike Hogg.

A full list of candidates for May’s election will be announced next month.