Councillors Steve O’Connell and Vidhi Mohan have today announced that they will be standing down from Croydon Council in May this year.
Their decision means that by-elections will take place in the wards of Kenley and Park Hill & Whitgift on 6th May 2021, timed for the same day as the Mayor of London and GLA elections.
Cllr Steve O’Connell has been a Croydon Councillor for Kenley since 2002 and has represented Croydon and Sutton as a GLA Member at City Hall since 2008. He is stepping down from both roles in May to retire from public life.
Steve commented:
“After 19 years serving the good people of Kenley, it’s time for me to move on and hand the baton to a new Councillor. It has been an absolute privilege. For me, community really is at the heart of why I wanted to be a Councillor, and that’s why I threw myself into lots of local groups: from being a trustee of the Kenley Memorial Hall, and chairing the Kenley Ward Police Panel, to sitting on the local RAFA Committee and many others. I will miss those groups, and my residents, and wish them all the very best for the future.”
Cllr Vidhi Mohan was first elected at a by-election for Fairfield ward in 2005 and has served that community continually since then, as part of the area became the ward of Park Hill and Whitgift following the 2018 boundary changes. He is standing down owing to increased work commitments.
Vidhi said:
“Due to increasing demands in my professional life, I’ve decided that it’s in the best interests my family and my residents that I stand down from Croydon Council. I am sad to be ending my role as a Conservative councillor, but my residents deserve a representative who can give them the time and care they need. I want to thank all local people in Park Hill & Whitgift and Croydon town centre for putting their faith in me to represent them for the last 16 years. From community events, to serving in the Cabinet, to Council committees, I have relished the opportunity to fight for their best interests. Thank you for the trust you gave me, and here’s wishing every Croydon community a prosperous future.”
Cllr Jason Perry, Leader of Croydon’s Conservative Councillors, says:
“Steve and Vidhi have given a combined 35 years of service to their residents and Croydon Council. I want to thank them for all that they have done in that time to fight for a better Croydon and working tirelessly for their residents.
“Steve’s 19 years on the Council has seen him follow his particular passion of tackling crime and injustice. Both in Croydon, and through his sterling work in City Hall, Steve has made it his mission to keep local people safe. Together with his love of nature and animal welfare, Steve has consistently been a tolerant, calming force in local politics. I wish him all the best for his retirement.
“Vidhi has worked for and supported the residents of our town centre for 16 years, serving in a variety of roles including tackling the big challenges of environment and transport. He is a constant champion of Croydon’s diverse communities, continually promoting their work. His trademark enthusiasm, wit and passion will be missed from the Council Chamber.
On behalf of all Croydon Conservatives, I wish Steve, Vidhi and their respective families great success in their future endeavours.”
