North Wilts leader explains why she's stepping down

10:14am Wednesday 11th April 2007

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North Wiltshire District Council leader Carol O'Gorman has spoken for the first time about her shock decision to stand down at next month's local elections.

Coun O'Gorman, 58, admitted she had taken a battering in recent months but denied this was the only reason for her resigning.

She said: "At times the abuse has been so bad I have had to turn my mobile phone off. There has been a lot of pressure and people have reacted against me personally but I have also had a lot of support."

She understands why people have blamed her for the leisure centre crisis in the district and the closure of Calne pool but vehemently defends the actions she has taken.

Coun O'Gorman has been known for her rather flamboyant and hands-on style, which has left her open to criticism from detractors.

She said: "I wouldn't say I have been made a scapegoat exactly for the leisure crisis. As leader I have to take responsibility but on the other hand it wasn't me that signed the original contracts."

She said that she knew that the leisure issue would be a difficult one when she first came to power after a meteoric rise through the local Lib Dem party two years ago.

"I knew it was something that would have to be tackled and I have worked incredibly hard to save all the centres.

"It has been a real personal sadness for me that it is Calne that has come out of it in the worst position. Calne is very close to my heart."

She says a decision by her husband Paul to retire this year is one of the deciding factors behind her announcement to stand down as both a town and district councillor.

"There are a lot of other things I still want to do and being leader of the council is a fulltime job. I have been made a lot of different offers but the one I really want to devote time to is the Prince's Trust.

"At 58 I am not getting any younger and I think now is the right time to go. I am confident I am leaving the council in a much better shape than when I took over."

She plans to stay living in the Calne area and will be running the Lib Dem campaign for the town. Coun O'Gorman only became a district councillor four years ago and her rise to leader left a bitter feeling in some quarters.

She took over from Ruth Coleman when her rival stood down when it became clear she would not win a vote.

At the time Coun O'Gorman said: "Every year there is a democratic process where people can apply for the leadership and other positions.

"I was asked to stand and Ruth withdrew from the nominations last Thursday. I can't comment on why. I'm honoured to be offered the position and I shall work positively, thoroughly and productively for the people of North Wiltshire."

More recently a fallout between her and leading Lib Dem Diane Moore was blamed for Coun Moore quitting the party.