Totton councillor Neville Penman quits Hampshire County Council and NFDC’s Tory groups
TOTTON councillor Neville Penman has confirmed he has resigned from the county and district councils’ Conservative groups.
He said he made the decision because of a “personal matter” and will now represent Totton North and Netley Marsh for the county as an unaffiliated member.
For NFDC, he is now a non-aligned member for Totton North, and is still listed by the authority as sitting on its housing and communities overview and scrutiny panel.
He will also continue in his north ward councillor role for Totton and Eling Town Council, where he serves on the amenities committee.
In a brief statement to the A&T, Cllr Penman said: “I can confirm that I have resigned from the Conservative groups at both Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council.
“I remain a loyal member of the Conservative Party and New Forest East Conservative Association.
“I have left the Conservative group in order that I can focus upon a personal matter.”
As reported in the A&T, Cllr Penman opened a block of 12 affordable flats – named Penman House in his honour – in Salisbury Road, Totton, last February.
Chairman of the New Forest East Conservative Association, Kate Crisell, would not be drawn on his resignation. She told the A&T: “Neville Penman is a valued and respected member of New Forest East Conservative Association”.