After 4 years in the role, Mayor of Ryde Councillor Michael Lilley has announced he is to step down in May admitting the ‘time is right for someone else to take over’.
Councillor Lilley was elected into the role in 2019, 3 years after joining Ryde Town Council (RTC), representing the Ryde Appley and Elmfield ward.
Announcing his resignation on Monday night, at an RTC meeting, he said he had only intended to serve 2 years but with transformational staff changes, COVID-19 lockdowns and the cost of living crisis, he felt it was important for Ryde to have the stability of leadership.
The town council is now in a really different place than it was four years ago, Councillor Lilley said, with the aid of a skilled professional team behind it.
RTC is the Island’s second largest authority, behind the Isle of Wight Council, and is faced with austerity and cuts, said Councillor Lilley. In his time as Mayor, RTC has responded to government funding cuts which led to it providing the Network Ryde youth service.
Plans to help the town move forward and achieve more have also been developed.
Among his goals before he steps down are to secure a better working relationship between RTC and the Isle of Wight Council.
Councillor Lilley will remain on the town council as a councillor and a new mayor will be voted in at RTC’s annual meeting in May.
If the next mayor can put as much energy, commitment and originality into the job as Michael has, Ryde will be lucky.
Agreed, he has been great, committed, loyal and honest.
Rare and no small wonder he has been under pressure for holding those values.
Good luck for your future M
I have to admit a few years back I thought Michael Lilley was not of this world. How wrong I was, Michael was and is an inspiration and has done so much for Ryde. He is a one off. Everything he does just works. The difference he has made to so many people’s lives and to the town is beyond words. He deserves a Knighthood. Thanks ML.
Good luck Michael and thanks for all your hard work as both the mayor and our councillor