STEPPING down after almost half a century in local government, John Lugg has retired from his role serving for the St Teath and St Breward division on Cornwall Council.

He is one of the longest serving members and has gained much respect from those on the council and in his constinuency.

Mr Lugg has served as an independent on the St Teath and St Breward division of Cornwall Council since the authorities creation in 2009, but due to health reasons has been absent from County Hall for the last six months after a long battle with illness.

Mr Lugg has previously served on the North Cornwall District Council with Cllr Neil Burden, who was also his former group leader on Cornwall Council.

On Mr Lugg’s time on the various council’s before his recent resignation, Mr Burden said: “He was fascinated with the progress other peoples children were making and was always interested in hearing what people had to say.

“He has struggled with his health for many years but that never deterred him from his work, he was a very personable person and always wanted to get involved with anything to do with the community — starting off as a parish councillor, he then became a member of the North Cornwall District Council and later, after the merge, a member of the Cornwall Unitary Council.

“I think Cornwall has always been very important to him, but especially North Cornwall as he saw it as ‘this is mine and I’ll do what I think is best for it’.

“He joined the council around the same time as me in the 1970’s and was a North Cornwall Councillor for around 32 years.”

Mr Lugg was also well known in Delabole and the North Cornwall area for his involvement in the community.

He runs a family owned garage business and has always got involved with community run events.

Mr Burden added: “He is the kind of person who knows everyone and they know him, especially those who visited Lugg’s Garage — I’m sure there have been more than a few visitors to Cornwall who have been rescued by John.

“He always gets involved with community events and is a big supported of things like the Delabole Chapel, the local bands, choirs and other community events but he would never pushed himself to the forefront.

“When attending those kind of events he wouldn’t take over but would stay in the background talking to locals, just really getting involved with his local area — he is really just a very praiseworthy man.

“I think I will remember his time as a councillor most for that and for how kind he was, always speaking to the public in his constituency to find out what needed doing, like I said he was a very personable person.

“He never said I have had enough and if he could he would have always wanted to carry on helping the people of North Cornwall in his role as councillor.”

Cornwall Council said a by-election will be held to fill the vacant seat.