WIRRAL councillor Gill Gardiner is stepping down from her council seat to spend more time with her family, who all live out of the borough.

The Liberal democrat councillor for Greasby, Frankby and Irby, has represented the ward since 2003, is also cabinet member for the environment since 2007 and has been deputy leader of Wirral Liberal Democrats for two years.

She said: “I hope that I have left a lasting and positive legacy for Wirral in terms of raising the profile on environmental issues and putting in place some really positive measures to safeguard the environment, reduce carbon emissions and make energy savings, such as free home insulation for residents, improved recycling, solar power on council buildings, energy efficiency grants for community buildings, the Wirral CRed website and the council’s first carbon budget to encourage further carbon savings.”

“But now it’s time for me to retire and spend more time with my family. My daughters live in the South and I am delighted that grandchildren have started to arrive! As a proud grandmother, I want to enjoy my retirement with them close by; so have decided to move house to be near them.

“I am proud of the Liberal Democrats’ achievements, both locally and in Government, and will continue to support and work with the Liberal Democrats through my new local party, once I have settled in to my new home.”