'INTELLIGENT politicians not only give thought to policy development and formulation but even greater careful thought to the possible outcomes of their policy decisions.'

The number of times that I have used those words in press letters!

At nudging 78 years of age, I can cope at present with a fairly busy council workload including the casework from a large county council division. Age is somewhat arbitrary, it must be said, but whether or not I could cope with 40-mile, sometimes daily round trips, to Worcester with evening meetings too in my eighties, has to be a matter for conjecture.

My work as chairman of Worcestershire standing advisory committee for religious education has been a pleasure, and my work on other county group has been satisfying. I have enjoyed being vice-chairman of education and lifelong learning scrutiny panel and the other committees I have served on.

Education and industrial training has remained an abiding interest after more than 50 years, in a professional and voluntary capacity.

Then there are the 'spin-offs' of a councillor's work. My main interest has been service as a school and college governor. This avenue of public service, hopefully, I can continue.

My wife Beryl has given me 110 per cent support over the years, for which I am indebted to her, having been first elected to Redditch Urban District Council in 1972. I was elected to Worcestershire County Council in 1997, for Crabbs Cross and hope to complete my service in 2005.

I wish my successors in the new Redditch South Division every blessing. May I thank everyone who has voted for me in the areas I have served together with friends, councillors of all parties also our excellent council officers.

Councillor Tom Wareing

Winyates Green

Redditch