Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown has just announced at this afternoon’s district council meeting he will not seek a third term as mayor.
“This decision doesn’t mean I stop here and now, we still have six months left of this term,” Brown said.
He said until the local body elections in October it would be “pedal to the metal” getting things done.
“I also see the next mayor coming from around this table,” he said, referring to the potential for his fellow district councillors to stand.
The district councillors spoke individually after his announcement, expressing their disappointment at his decision, and gratitude for all of his hard work.
The only district councillor to date who has expressed his intention to stand for the mayoralty is councillor Rob Mackle. He joins fellow mayoral hopeful Jeff Ryan of Ashburton, who announced his intentions last month.
